by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Legislation that would provide the support the Guam Fire Department needs to enforce the Fire Code went up for a public hearing last night. The court has stopped accepting Fire Code violations issued by the fire department because they are improperly classified in Guam law.

Senator Tom Ada introduced Bill 40 to address the problem. Acting Fire Chief John Wusstig said, "The Guam Fire Department supports Bill 40, as it addresses the importance of changing the language in the law from a misdemeanor to a civil violation, thus maintaining our ability to provide enforcement of the Fire Code as well as provide assurance to the community that public safety is a high priority. The Guam Fire Department is not capable of alleviating all citizen hazards that could potentially lead to situations that inflict injury, loss of property or life, however, with proper legislation, the government can provide the mechanism through fees and fines which will assist in fire code compliance. The fines will assist our fire officers in obtaining compliance while performing the necessary regulatory function of inspection/investigations associated with the Fire Code.

The legislation also has the support of the Attorney General's Office.