by Mindy Aguon

Guam - With only four ambulances in operation today, the Guam Fire Department is hoping the governor will declare a state of emergency for the ongoing ambulance shortage. GFD Spokesperson Captain Andy Arceo says such a declaration would speed up the procurement process so funding can be spent to repair the ten medics that are currently inoperable.

Senator Mana Silva Taijeron meanwhile has introduced a bill that would re-appropriate $500,000 from the E-911 Fund to the FLAME Fund to purchase new ambulances. She told KUAM News, "Ideally they would like 12 ambulances on their fleet, DOI would allow them to purchase five new ambulances, compact impact funds according to his figures will allow them to buy four new ambulances, and if this Bill 280 goes forward, that would allow them five additional ambulances which would put 14 on their fleet."

Because the new ambulance billing system is in place, the money will be replenished into the E-911 Fund. There's no word from Adelup yet on whether the governor intends to declare the state of emergency for the fire department.