By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
DESPITE ongoing CNMI government austerity measures, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services continues to provide uninterrupted 24-hour emergency response across the Commonwealth, according to DFEMS Commissioner Juan Pua.
“It’s true that we are first responders, and our job is to serve the community to the best of our ability,” Pua said in an interview Thursday. “Even with the financial challenges we face, we’re fortunate to have other divisions working together to augment operations and cover manpower.”
Under Gov. David M. Apatang’s cost-cutting directives — issued in response to a projected revenue shortfall for fiscal year 2026 — officers of the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Corrections will be limited to 80 work hours biweekly, while DFEMS personnel will be capped at 100 hours.
Pua said the fire department rotates staff from its EMS and fire prevention divisions to maintain operational coverage.
“We assign them to operations for 24 hours to maintain the austerity mission,” he said. “Because of the additional manpower from other divisions, we’re able to keep the hours within the cap.”
He added that the department prioritizes funding for medical supplies, emergency vehicle maintenance, and essential equipment to ensure readiness.
“We make sure our guys come in, work, and get paid for that 100 hours,” Pua said. “Overtime is reserved for real emergencies — like search and rescue operations for missing persons — which we justify on a case-by-case basis.”
DFEMS currently employs 107 personnel, including 22 on Tinian and 24 on Rota. Pua said the department would ideally need about 200 staff to fully man each unit and allow specialized divisions to focus on their core responsibilities, such as fire code enforcement.
As the department awaits final findings from the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget regarding potential reductions in force, Pua emphasized that public service will not be compromised.
“I’d like to thank the community for their understanding and patience,” he said. “Despite the reduction in hours, we continue to respond and assist with whatever help is needed. The 24-hour service will not be hampered — it will continue 24/7, 365 days a year.”