Guam - The Guam Fire Department is just waiting on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to give the final approval on funding that would help the department's ailing fleet of ambulances. GFD has been plagued with a continuous shortage of operable medics to respond to emergencies around the island.

There were only five ambulances to service the entire island today assigned to the Tamuning, Barrigada, Yigo, Agat and Inarajan fire stations. GFD spokesperson Joey San Nicolas says an additional two medics were expected to be up and running by the close of business today.

In the meantime, GFD is already submitted all of the paperwork for the USDA funding that would result in two new medics a year for the next five years.