Mayor Mufi Hannemann and the City and County of Honolulu's Emergency Services Department will break ground for the construction of new paramedic facility in Makiki at 10 a.m. Thursday.

The ceremony will take place at 1426 Young St. (intersection of Keeaumoku and Young streets) where both the Metro-1 and Makiki EMS ambulance units have been operating out of temporary trailers for the past four to six years.

Construction on the permanent facility will begin later this month with completion slated for 2010. Once completed, the 2,320-square-foot structure will provide permanent quarters for two ambulance units and a district chief.

"The City's first responders are on the front line of every call for help, every emergency and every disaster," Hannemann said. "It is important that they are provided with the necessary tools and equipment to ensure the health and safety of our community. "

"We are very grateful to the Mayor for his continued support of public safety and we thank the City and the State for their partnership in making this project a reality," Dr. Elizabeth Char, Director of the City's Emergency Services Department, said in a news release about the new building.

Straub Clinic and Hospital as well as the Kuakini Medical Center well temporarily house the Makiki and Metro-1 ambulance units respectively until the permanent facilities are constructed.