They’re often the first to respond to calls for help but they don’t get extra pay like other sworn officers of the law.

Mayors testified in support of Speaker Therese Therlaje’s Bill 150 that would authorize Mayors Council personnel hazardous pay during emergencies.

“Our guys are also considered 911 because there’s no eastern precinct on our side. The time it takes for police officers to travel from Hagat to Inalahan, by then someone is seriously hurt or dead,” said Inalahan Mayor Anthony Chargualaf.

Despite the danger, Dededo Vice-Mayor Peter Benevente added mayors and their staff were the first to clear the roads for first responders the day after Typhoon Mawar.

“It’s kind of funny, on that day when we were clearing on the main roads in our villages, a certain agency head passed by us and said ‘Vice, what are you guys doing?’ I turned around and said ‘Where are your guys?,” said Benavente.

If passed, Mayors Council of Guam personnel will be entitled to the 10% hazardous pay differential alongside the Guam Airport Police, Conservation Officers, Park Patrol, The Department Of Youth Affairs, The Attorney General’s Office, and The Guam Fire Department.

Meantime, senators were supportive of the measure.