Bill 300 will appropriate $1.5 million to Guam Fire Department

The Guam Fire Department continually faces challenges in equipment availability, operations, maintenance and parts acquisitions.

The high costs of fire equipment and the scarce availability of parts add additional challenges to keep units and apparatuses on-line. Hoping to get some funds from Section 30 revenues for a pair of squad rescue trucks, a fire truck, and equipment such as hoses, nozzles, and tools, Vice-Speaker Tina Muna Barnes' introduced a bill that would appropriate $1.3 million to GFD. 

Fire Chief Joey San Nicolas said, "We chase opportunities to get equipment in. What's very unique about the Guam Fire Department versus all the other agencies: one fire truck costs about $500,000, that's easily 5-10 police cruisers. Although it may seem on the surface the impact is not as great, it's actually a huge impact that one particular fire truck makes. Because of the high cost, we know it is very hard to get funds for it, especially off of the General Fund, and that's why we always seek these opportunities that are listed...we will chase down every opportunity to get these trucks."

According to San Nicolas, at the moment, GFD has a total 13 fire trucks in their inventory. Seven are currently in service, the remaining are either with the department's mechanic or with different vendors awaiting purchase orders or parts to arrive.