“As we work to revitalize and modernize our island’s capital, it is important that we revive the facilities that will keep our island safe as well. The new rescue base will help ensure GFD is better equipped to respond quickly in times of emergencies in Guam’s waters.”
– Governor Eddie Baza Calvo
GFD’s Sea Rescue Unit returns to HagÃ¥tna marina
Guam Fire Department will be able to improve its response times for marine rescues with the opening of a new rescue base at the Gregorio Perez Marina in Hagåtña.
The HagÃ¥tña marina was the home of Rescue 2, the Guam Fire Department’s sea rescue unit. When Typhoon Omar demolished the building in 1992, the sea rescue unit was displaced and firefighters moved to Tiyan and again to the Sinajana Fire Station.
“Twenty-three years later, we are proud to return the sea rescue unit to its rightful home,” Governor Eddie Baza Calvo said. “Now, GFD is in a better position to serve those in need of life-saving services while in our island’s waters.”
Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio said he has been working on making the rescue unit a reality for years. He thanked GFD Chief Joey San Nicolas and Guam State Clearinghouse Administrator Kate Baltazar for working on the grant to help ensure the rescue teams have a suitable station from which to respond to water emergencies.
“Our fire department did a tremendous job for many years prior to this administration, considering what little they had to work with,” Lt. Governor stated.
When the Calvo Tenorio administration first came to Adelup, the island had about two working ambulances and not all fire stations had fire trucks. They now have about a dozen ambulances and fire trucks at each fire station.
“I’m proud to say that these last few years, this administration has been able to support GFD and provide the help Chief San Nicolas and his team needed to modernize and grow the fire department,” the Lt. Governor added.
The rescue base was funded by the Department of Interior Empowering Insular Communities Grant totaling at $260,000. The project demonstrated the success of interagency partnerships, with the Port Authority of Guam providing GFD with the use of property at the marina for the rescue base.