Guam – Revenue soon will be on the way for the Fire Department to purchase and maintain enough ambulances to respond quickly to emergencies.
Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio signed the ambulance-billing contract Friday, July 29, 2011. The contract between the Guam Fire Department (GFD) and Lifeline Systems Inc., allows GFD to set and enforce ambulance fees. The lack of this contract is the reason GFD never had cash to maintain its fleet.
As a senator, Tenorio authored Public Law 30-133, establishing the Fire, Life, and Medical Emergency Fund (FLAME). Majority of monies deposited in this fund is for the purchase, critical maintenance and repair of essential emergency rescue and firefighting vehicles, emergency life support and medical equipment, and training for Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic certification.
“There’s no excuse for the lack of ambulances over the years,” Governor Eddie Baza Calvo said. “This is the beginning to a long-term solution to ambulance shortages the Legislature authorized years ago. We’ve been pursuing this since we came to office because it is unconscionable for anyone to have to wait long for an ambulance when they need care. Emergency medical services are a vital function and I thank Lieutenant Governor Tenorio for his leadership on this issue.
“This has been in the works for a long time. We are finally at a point where GFD is able to recoup costs for services so they can in turn provide the same service to others in need. Additionally, it will provide GFD the ability to purchase woefully needed life-saving vehicles and equipment plus ensure personnel are trained,” Lieutenant Governor Tenorio stated. “I thank Governor Calvo for the support he shows to the Public Safety Team that meets every week to enhance emergency services. This contract will go a long way to ensure this happens. ”
Acting Fire Chief Ray Perez stated, “This comes at a pivotal time for GFD as we have been and continue struggling with our ambulance fleet. I’m confident that, with full implementation of this contract, this will provide a reliable source of revenue to help the Fire Department and it’s hard working personnel with capital improvements to their fleet.”
