by Nick Delgado

Guam - More alarms are sounding off when it comes to the shortage of ambulances that the Guam Fire Department has for the entire island. GFD Spokesperson Joey San Nicolas says today the island has three units running, however several officials within the agency say there's only two that are working at the Tamuning and Umatac fire stations.

Reacting to the crisis, Senator Ray Tenorio is requesting Adelup to provide a timeline of proposed corrective action to resolve the ambulance shortage on island. "The medics themselves are telling me, the firemen are telling me, there are three or two depending on the hour of the day, ambulances that are working in our community, and by any measure that is under serving our community."

It was almost two months ago the Legislature passed legislation, which was later signed into law that would allow for Guam Fire to tap the FLAME Fund to pay for repairs to ambulances that were in the shop waiting for payment. GFD says the units today are awaiting the purchase orders and parts.

Senator Adolpho Palacios says he too is disappointed, telling KUAM News, "The solution to this issue or problem actually is with the Executive Branch, and it's a matter of priority, it is the prerogative of the Executive Branch to redirect some of these funds."

In the meantime, GFD is also finalizing the request for proposal to hire a vendor to handle the billing process for ambulance services.