The Guam Fire Department (GFD) has been awarded more than $5 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs to enhance the island’s emergency response and preparedness capabilities — the largest federal award in the department’s history.
The funding supports three key initiatives: $400,000 for rescue and mobility enhancements, $350,000 for maintenance modernization, and $4.32 million for the procurement of fuel-efficient fire pumpers. Together, the projects will upgrade GFD’s fleet, modernize maintenance operations, and improve response safety. “This funding is not just an investment in equipment, it’s an investment in the safety and future of our island,” said Fire Chief Daren Burrier, who credited firefighter Jose J. San Nicolas for leading the grant effort.
In a separate announcement, GFD unveiled a $154,000 investment in 10 Stryker LUCAS Chest Compression Systems—state-of-the-art mechanical CPR devices now deployed across fire units island-wide. “Every second counts during a cardiac emergency,” Burrier said. “With the addition of these LUCAS devices, our firefighters are now equipped with a tool that can deliver uninterrupted CPR, giving our patients the best possible chance of survival.”
Acting Governor Josh Tenorio praised the upgrades as a reflection of Guam’s commitment to public safety. “Our firefighters are the front line of care in moments that truly define life or death,” he said. “Investing in this technology means investing in our people—ensuring that when someone calls for help, our first responders have the best tools available to save lives.”
