Dennis Mendiola
SENATE President Dennis James C. Mendiola has introduced Senate Bill 24-33 to change the title of the head of the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services from “commissioner” to “fire chief,” and that of the deputy commissioner to “assistant fire chief.”
Mendiola, a former DFEMS commissioner, finds it necessary to amend the position titles “to be consistent with the titles of the fire departments in the 50 states.” Also, he said it is necessary to convert the department’s division managers to civil service employees.
In addition, S.B. 24-33 proposes to increase the annual salary of the resident deputy fire chiefs on Rota and Tinian from $42,000 to $45,000. It would also align the salary of the assistant fire chief with the Civil Service system pay scale, following its conversion to a civil service position.
Right now, the salary of a deputy commissioner is $42,000 per annum.
