by Nick Delgado

Guam - How bad does it continue to be with the Guam Fire Department's ambulance problem? On Saturday there was only one medic for a couple of hours to respond to calls for emergencies islandwide. GFD spokesperson Joey San Nicolas confirms that during that time firefighters and patients had to wait for up to two hours before the ambulance would arrive for transport to the hospital.

As of today, there were four ambulances running in Yigo, Barrigada, Agat and Inarajan. GFD anticipated bringing a fifth unit up by the end of today. GFD meanwhile has scrapped plans to lease medics from private vendors because it was too costly. The agency is continuing to work with GSA to procure four new ambulances and replace engines on two existing units using the $500,000 in DOI funding.

He anticipates the procurement process to be finalized this week.