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CPA eyeing voluntary firefighter force
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Posted on Jul 08 2004
The Commonwealth Ports Authority is mulling several options to cover for the 11 CNMI reservists working at the ports who have been called by the federal government for possible deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan.
CPA executive director Carlos H. Salas said that CPA stands to lose eight airport firefighters, two Tinian ports officers, and one ports police officer to the Pentagon’s call to arms.
“I don’t think there are real concerns at Tinian and the ports police side, but we are now looking at different options to cover for the firefighters who will be leaving. The eight reservists practically make up one work shift,” Salas said.
CPA’s aircraft rescue and firefighting unit has only about 40 personnel working in three 24-hour shifts.
Salas said one of the options being considered is the creation of a volunteer firefighters force.
“We are encouraging former firefighters and other community members who are qualified for firefighting work to come out and join this volunteer force. This is a good way of contributing to the community during this critical period, and staying on top of their training as firefighters,” Salas urged.
CPA is also looking at “cross-utilizing” its existing personnel, or tapping the CPA staff— “from top to bottom”—who may be able to do aircraft firefighting, Salas said.
Hiring more people, he added, is another option, although it is not a very feasible one considering the ports authority’s financial constraints.
Reports said at least 83 CNMI reservists will head to Hawaii this Sunday to undergo the U.S. Army Reserve’s annual training, which lasts three weeks.
But the duration of the deployment is likely to be extended amid calls by the Pentagon for inactive personnel to reinforce depleted missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Reservists from Saipan, Guam and American Samoa form part of the Army Reserve’s 500-strong 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry.
