DPS unveils modern fire-fighting facility

Commonwealth officials convened Friday to witness the unveiling of the new Department of Public Safety Fire Station in Susupe, constructed to cater to fire emergencies in the western and southern sections of Saipan.

The facility was built to replace the narrow and antiquated fire station just across the brand new edifice which will be demolished soon to make way for the new DPS adult facility, said Prison Task Force Chairman Rep. Heinz Hofschneider.

Four times larger than its early counterpart, the less than $350,000-worth structure is the first out of the three fire facilities seen to rise in the Kagman and Tanapag areas.

According to Mr. Hofschneider, the newly-constructed building is the key station designated to answer to fire distress calls in the southern and western parts of the island, where many business establishments hold offices.

“This gives our fire and police officers a better facility to work in,” said the congressman.

The tall structure features living quarters for on-duty DPS officers, a kitchen, and a spacious garage room fit to accommodate two large fire trucks.

“The facility’s vital features also include protection for the housed machinery. As you know, Saipan’s ambiance is salty and thus, deterioration of the equipment is likely to happen as a result. The costs to restore the equipment could amount to millions. So we need to protect them from degradation,” said Mr. Hofschneider.

The new Susupe fire station is the only government-owned facility with this protection capability.

Planning and construction for the fire station was undertaken by the Prison Task Force with aid from the Commonwealth Development Authority and the Governor’s Office, financed by Covenant Section 702 funds.

Meanwhile, near the Susupe fire station is the new RSAT/DOC facility which has been designated as a temporary minimum detention facility for prisoners serving short-term jail sentences.

The building has been utilized to house DPS inmates from the recently demolished minimum security detention that housed up to 40 prisoners as ordered by a non-negotiable US Department of Justice consent decree.

“So as an alternative, this temporary detention facility accommodates inmates. Another portion of the building also houses the substance abuse program,” he said.

Mr. Hofschneider added that when when the new prison facility is completed, the RSAT building will be dedicated to the judicial branch so that they can expand their programs on family remediation and others.

The construction design and engineering of the $17 million new correctional facility is currently being managed by San Francisco-based firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum.

Considered as the largest justice planning firm in the world, Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum has been in the business of designing correctional facilities for 30 years now.

Various factors were considered in planning for the facility such as building an in-house medical facility and separate areas for those considered under maximum and minimum security. It will house male and female inmates as well as accommodate immigration detainees.