The Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services or DFEMS is requesting a $7 million operational budget from the CNMI Legislature for fiscal year 2026.
At a recent budget hearing, DFEMS Commissioner Juan Pua stressed the importance of securing adequate funding for the department. He highlighted DFEMS’s essential role in emergency response and preparedness across the Commonwealth.
DFEMS currently employs 130 personnel and operates through five divisions: Emergency Services, Fire Prevention and Arson Investigations, Emergency Medical Services, Logistics and Support, and Administration.
Pua says, “DFEMS plays a critical role in emergency response and preparedness, and its funding directly affects our ability to respond effectively to emergencies, train our personnel, and maintain our equipment.”
For fiscal year 2025, DFEMS received $5 million for operations. The proposed increase to $7 million aims to ensure that firefighters and EMTs are fully equipped and trained to protect the community.
