Guam News - Guam News

Guam - The U.S. Department of  Interior has awarded a $1.12 million dollar grant to the Guam Fire Department for the purchase of emergency vehicles. 

A release from the Governor's office calls the grant a significant award which will finally provide the Guam Fire Department with the kind of emergency response it needs to fight fires in tall buildings.

The release quotes Guam Fire Chief Joey San Nicolas as saying “we’re finally seeing the completion of a critical project that will greatly improve our fire personnel’s ability to save lives.  The vehicles procured by this grant, in addition to the three new ambulances already en route, gives the department the resources it needs to carry out its mission as an “all-hazards“ emergency service agency.”

READ the release from the Governor's Office in FULL below:

The Guam Fire Department’s fleet of rescue vehicles is expanding to serve the community with a $1.12 million grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior.  A new ladder-truck, two medium duty-rescue vehicles and a rescue boat will significantly enhance the fire department’s ability to respond to emergencies and save lives.

“Public safety is a top priority of this government and part of this priority is making sure that our emergency response personnel have the equipment and resources they need at all times,” Acting Governor Tenorio said.  “There’s still a lot of work to do, but I’m proud of the collaborative effort being made between the fire department, the administration, local agencies and our federal partners to get more emergency vehicles into the GFD inventory.  This speaks to our ability to work with one another during these challenging times.”

This is a significant grant approval, which has been in the works since 2009, that allows GFD to finally purchase a vehicle that increases emergency response capabilities in taller buildings.  In addition, the department’s new rescue boat will augment support for search and rescue operations in surrounding waters.

“Through the close relationship between the Guam State Clearinghouse and GFD we’re finally seeing the completion of a critical project that will greatly improve our fire personnel’s ability to save lives.  The vehicles procured by this grant, in addition to the three new ambulances already en route, gives the department the resources it needs to carry out its mission as an “all-hazards“ emergency service agency,” Fire Chief Joey San Nicolas said.