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Guam Fire gets $1.1M for emergency vehicles
WASHINGTON, D.C.-The Department of the Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas, Tony Babauta, has awarded $1.1 million in grant funding to support the Guam Fire Department’s mission. The funding will be used to purchase 1) a fire ladder truck, increasing GFD’s capability to respond to emergencies higher than two-stories; 2) two medium-duty rescue vehicles, enhancing GFD’s emergency rescue response; and 3) a single rigid hull inflatable rescue boat, increasing GFD’s maritime coverage and response time.
“I am pleased to be able to respond to the Guam Fire Department’s request for funding to supplement their current fleet of emergency vehicles. The additions to the fleet will enhance the rescue efforts of the department, whether responding to medical or rescue emergencies on land or ocean,” said Babauta. “During a time of shrinking federal resources, I am grateful to the work of Congresswoman Bordallo in helping to preserve our programs during the budget process. Were it not for her strong voice and that of her colleagues, my office would not be in a position to be able to provide such assistance to Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
In the current and past fiscal years, Babauta has approved two separate grants for Guam to purchase six ambulances. In awarding funding for vehicles, emergency or otherwise, Interior has mandated that maintenance packages accompany any proposal. (OIA)
