As the Guam Fire Department continues to grapple with financial shortfalls, the urgent need to replace old ambulances with new ones has become a grim reality since at least one reported death occurred in which a woman lost her newborn.
There are still two ambulances from the federal General Services Agency sitting at the GSA parking lot. However, approximately $35,000 is still owed to the federal GSA for Ford Sport Tracs purchased by the previous administration.
Regarding these two ambulances, Choe said: “We inherited long-standing financial issues when we stepped into office and we are trying diligently to work through them. However, funding has, and continues to remain, an issue for the government of Guam. We are working to pay these past-due debts so we can proceed with the ambulance purchases.”
Gov. Eddie B. Calvo, through his emergency procurement authority, secured $480,000 to lease the four new ambulances from Mid Pac Far East LLC for one year.
The ambulances are 2011-Type II Mercedes Benz 2500 Sprinter Hightop Arctic White models.
Mark Cruz, sales manager for Mid Pac Far East LLC, said the ambulance is a van-type vehicle that meets the triple K certification required by GovGuam. They will be coming from a manufacturer in Missouri.
The lease for all four ambulances will cost the government of Guam $40,000 a month, which the governor will prioritize.
