GUAM — Two bills aimed at tackling two chronic problems in Guam’s public safety infrastructure — the lack of ambulances and an outdated emergency 911 system — were discussed yesterday by the Legislature, but neither got a ringing endorsement from senators.

Bill 205, introduced by Sen. Tony Ada, R-Sinajana, would allow the governor to borrow up to $2 million to purchase and install a new emergency 911 system. Under the measure, the governor would be allowed to issue general, special or limited obligation bonds for a term of up to seven years.

Ada called the current emergency 911 system “obsolete,” noting that the system was purchased in the 1980s, and is no longer manufactured.

Acting Fire Chief Joey San Nicolas spoke in support of Bill 205, “on the basis that all options available to us, we need to explore to upgrade or replace the ailing E911 system.”

San Nicolas said the department needs to complete a review of specifications for a system, but wanted to send a requisition for a multi-step request for proposal process by the end of December.

Luci Perez, a member of the Emergency Medical Services Commission, also spoke in support of the bill, and said the need for a functioning system was too urgent to delay upgrades, despite the need for more holistic upgrades to the emergency response system.

“Every day we cross our fingers — and our vendors cross their fingers — that that system does not take any hits, … that will cause that system to go down even for a minute,” Perez said.

But senators questioned the wisdom of spending money on a system before the final details had been ironed out.

San Nicolas said different systems would require different infrastructure, requiring GFD to know which system it would choose before constructing a space to hold it.

“Why would you want to price your stuff a year out?” Sen. Ben Pangelinan, D-Barrigada, said.

Sen. Frank Blas Jr., R-Barrigada, asked why the bill requested only $2 million to upgrade the system.

Perez told senators that upgrading the 911 system, as well as a new radio system for emergency responders, could cost as much as $12 million.

A second bill dealing with emergency services received little support.

Bill 280, introduced by Sen. Mana Silva Taijeron, R-Barrigada, would appropriate $500,000 from the Enhanced 911 Emergency Reporting System Fund to the Guam Fire Department Capital Revolving Fund in order to purchase ambulances.

San Nicolas spoke against the bill, saying that the recent leasing and acquisition of ambulances makes the bill unnecessary, and said approval of the bill would impede the ability of the Fire Department to upgrade its 911 system.

Perez said the 911 system needs to be fixed, “and moving money out for other fires or for other emergencies does not make sound judgment or decisions.”

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