A new Emergency Medical Services Unit on Young Street will make it easier for ambulances to respond in emergencies.

The $2.3 million, 2,320-square-foot building at 1426 Young St. is the new home for two ambulances and a district chief and, in the future, a backup dispatch communications annex, according to Emergency Medical Services chief Patricia Dukes.

A dedication ceremony was conducted by Mayor Mufi Hannemann and the city Emergency Services Department to bless the station yesterday.

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

"For EMS it’s a palace," said Dukes, who said the unit personnel have been stationed in trailers for nine years.

According to Dukes, the Metro-1 and Makiki EMS Units respond to 9,000 to 10,000 calls a year.