By Trina A. San Agustin
Variety News Staff

THE $873,000 demolition and reconstruction of the Barrigada Fire Station began yesterday morning.
The demolition, according to the governor’s office, will be completed by March 16.
The construction, which will begin that day, is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The money for the project comes from a Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Renewal Authority through the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority.
“As a doctor, I know how critical it is for our firefighters and medics to have the resources they need to get a patient from home or the streets and into the emergency room,” according to acting Gov. Mike Cruz.
The Barrigada Fire Station serves the villages of Barrigada, Mangilao, MongMong-Toto-Maite, and Chalan Pago.
“These villages cover six public schools, five private schools, the University of Guam, Guam Community College, the Department of Youth Affairs, St. Dominic’s and the Skilled Nursing Unit,” Cruz added. “More than 27,000 residents, workers, school children, and elderly patients count on our firefighters and medics; that is why they’re equipped with the resources they need to keep us safe.”
The new fire station will be constructed on the same lot as the current fire station on Purple Heart Memorial Highway and Adacao Avenue in Barrigada.
The demolition is phase one of the project, while phase two is the construction and design of the fire house.
A contractor has yet to be chosen for the second phase of the project. The new fire station will measure 5,400 square feet to accommodate the personnel and their vehicles.