Guam - Acting Guam Fire Chief John Salas says he is ready to go before Public Safety Oversight Chair Senator Adolpho Palacios next week to explain the controversial firefighter compensation issue. Salas says he has been on sick leave for the past week due to a foot injury, which is why he did not make last week's hearing.

Despite concerns about uniformed personnel at headquarters working administrative duties and getting paid the same pay as those in the fire stations, Salas says he will explain how it is a common practice of the past and that his staffers are working the hours they are compensated for.

He said, "I just don't understand why just now we are trying to correct the situation, but ever since I've taken helm of GFD, I've had my bureau chief, Mike Uncangco, make sure that these fire fighters who are working both administration and field are being monitored for the times that they perform."

Salas says he will be gathering the documentation to justify the firefighters pay. In the meantime, a second roundtable hearing will be held on March 14 at 6:30pm at the Legislature's Public Hearing Room.