The Public Safety Committee convened the oversight hearing on Monday to examine the Guam Fire Department’s finances, daily operations, and its proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget.  

"With a target of firefighters that we need to be able to employ, we need about 314 personnel, and we currently are at 236 personnel. Our EMD 911 call takers, our target is to have 28 call takers and currently have 24. Administrative staff our target is for 20 personnel and we are currently at 6," stated Fire Chief Daren Burrier, breaking down personnel numbers during an oversight hearing with the chairman of the Legislative Committee On Public Safety, Senator Shawn Gumataotao. 

The department is operating well below staffing targets across nearly every division. Equipment shortages are also impacting readiness.

Burrier added, "Operational fire trucks of target of having 12 fire trucks to be able to service the community and we currently have 9. Our aerial capability we'd like to have and need to have one aerial truck but we do not have any at this time."

The department has six of nine ambulances, two of three paramedic units, and only three rescue stations operating, instead of the four required to meet demand.

However, Burrier noted one bright spot—technology—saying the department operates five drones, exceeding its goal of three. "HAZMAT units we're having we need a full capacity, one HAZMAT unit and because of manpower constraints, we are operating a half that capacity right now," he said.

Despite staffing shortages, Burrier emphasized that 911 call-answering performance remains strong and exceeds national standards. "Our call answering time our target is within a 90% within 10 seconds per the NEA, and we are currently operating at a 99%. ," he said.

"Average call processing time we're at 95% target rate."

Still, the personnel gap remains significant. The department currently has 228 uniformed personnel, with about 46 vacancies due to retirements, resignations, extended military deployments, and medical profiles.  Looking ahead, Burrier told Gumataotao the department expects to hire another 20 personnel to maintain operational readiness—but acknowledged that hiring alone will not solve long-standing resource challenges.