The Governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro R. Pierluisi, signed into law Senate Bill 1065, which increases the base salary of firefighters by $375 per month, which raises the base salary to $2,500 under the new Special Law on Base Salary for Firefighters.
The president also delivered a new fleet of vehicles for the Fire Prevention Division of the Puerto Rico Fire Department Bureau (NCBPR), after an investment of $1,852,473.
“This is a fair and important action that will improve the quality of life of our firefighters and their families who risk their lives every day for the safety of our citizens,” said the governor who granted an increase of $500 with ARPA funds to the firefighters.
Under this administration, 450 new firefighters have been recruited and currently there is an academy for 300 cadets, for a total of 750. In addition, $3.1 million has been invested in equipment for the 96 fire stations and improvements have been made to the physical plant in the stations around the entire island.
For his part, the NCBPR commissioner, Marcos Concepción, thanked the signing of the bill for the salary increase and in turn the investment in the new fleet that was delivered today to the different supervisors and inspectors of the fire prevention division .
Mayor Miguel Romero will sign it this Tuesday.
“Thanks to the governor and the secretary for this delivery and for attending to the needs of the firefighters. Today 11 supervisors and 91 inspectors are better prepared to do their job. With this new vehicle fleet, we are giving our firefighters the tools to guarantee continuous work and, in turn, the safety of citizens”, assured the commissioner.
The chief executive also delivered 85 vehicles to NCBPR inspectors with an investment of $1.8 million from state funds. It is anticipated that in the coming weeks the NCBPR will receive six maintenance trucks that were purchased at a cost of $1,486,284 and that 14 tanker trucks will be delivered before the end of the year at a cost of $2,225,300.
“These vehicles will be distributed around the Island. It is the first time that a delivery of this magnitude has been made, since the vehicle fleet of the Bureau is renewed. The Fire Prevention Division is responsible for developing and implementing measures aimed at eradicating fire risks, inspecting industrial, residential, and educational establishments, workshops, warehouses, and meeting places,” added the governor.
As explained by Alexis Torres, secretary of the Department of Public Safety, since 2021 31 firefighting trucks have been delivered, a crane that cost $2.8 million, four vehicles for the Forest Fire Division and six type firefighting vehicles. mini pumps. Electricity generators for fire stations and technological equipment were also delivered.
“We have kept our word to completely improve the working conditions of these colleagues and we thank Governor Pierluisi who made this possible,” said the secretary.
The investment of $1.4 million in emergency funds was also announced for the purchase of electric generators for 14 fire stations, so now all of them have this equipment.
