THE transition committee assigned to the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services has recommended a “thorough, in-depth assessment of charges, justification, and legality of using the ambulance fee revolving fund.”
The transition committee members were Stanley Torres, Pat Ogo, Paul Sasamoto, Crispino Houmarek, Vanessa Diaz and Tatiana Kaipat.
According to the transition team’s report, from 2021 and 2022, DFEMS spent an estimated total of $145,000 for car rentals. The Saipan ambulance fee revolving fund was the funding source, the report stated.
“No justification was found for use of car rentals. Copies of the purchase orders the fire department provided were blurry, blank, and hard to read,” the report added.
The revolving fund was also used to pay for the DFEMS facilities’ power bill, the SCBA Air Refilling Cascade System, travel, logistical supplies, equipment, and uniforms.
The transition team also found that numerous fire personnel on Saipan, Tinian and Rota were working a 116-hour schedule.
Citing Public Law 18-73 or the DFEMS Act, the report stated that firefighters are supposed to work 24-hour shifts up to 106 hours per pay period.
“The transition team requested justification for the 116-hour schedule for all fire personnel regardless of duty assignment. The Acting Commissioner initiated the directive for working 116 hours per pay period regardless of what division the fire personnel are assigned to,” the report added.
The report stated that DFEMS is not in compliance with P.L. 18-73.
The transition team recommends a reassessment of the legality of the directive of the acting fire commissioner.
The report stated that a survey was conducted among the approximately 70 fire personnel regarding leadership, morale and welfare.
“Majority of the department’s morale is low,” the report stated. “Majority of the submittals complained about poor leadership and poor communication from leadership down to the low-ranking file. Some of the concerns are from personnel being promoted or re-assigned to another division and still working and getting paid 116 hours.”
According to the report, the fire department has 113 personnel assigned on Saipan, 28 personnel on Tinian, and 28 on Rota.
Currently, the DFEMS commissioner’s position is vacant. Assistant Fire Chief Jesse C. Mesa has been the acting commissioner since April 2022.
