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http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/SNAA-7WG33Z?OpenDocument&rc=5&emid=TS-2009-000209-ASM

 

 

FEMA continues response efforts in American 
Samoa 

Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 

Date: 02 Oct 2009 

Release Number: HQ-09-119  

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency 

(FEMA) announced today updated information on the continued efforts of federal support to American Samoa.  

FEMA and our federal partners continue to work closely with Governor Tulafono to respond in areas of 
American Samoa impacted by Tuesday's tsunami. The information below represents the movement of 

supplies into the island territory in the aftermath of the tsunami. The information is current as of 4:00 p.m. EDT.  

A team of over 245 federal responders from FEMA, Coast Guard, HHS, Department of Defense, EPA, FAA, 

and other federal agencies is on the ground in American Samoa. These personnel comprise the immediate 
response force, including Incident Management Assessment Teams, Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, and 

Public Health Assistance Teams.  

FEMA, with the support of its federal partners has also deployed critical supplies and equipment to help meet 
the immediate needs of the survivors, including more than 20,000 meals, 13,000 litres of water, over 1,500 

blankets, over 800 tents, and hundreds of cots have been delivered in support of the territory's mass care 
operations. Generators and medical supplies are also on the ground.  

Additional information can be found below:  

C-130 Flights: Two United States Coast Guard C-130 flights arrived in American Samoa. These flights carried 
key federal responders including the Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) and Disaster Medical 

Assistance Team (DMAT) and response team supplies for seven days.  

C-17 National Guard Flights: Five National Guard C-17 cargo flights have arrived in American Samoa carrying 
response and recovery personnel, vehicles, hazmat materials, trailers, communications equipment, cots, 

blankets, generators, food and water.  

USS Ingraham: The United States Navy frigate arrived in American Samoa with food, water, commodities and 
two Seahawk helicopters available for search and recovery operations.  

FEMA continues to coordinate with our federal partners, providing the following efforts to the region:  

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG): Port assessments report no significant pollution and no obstructions to commercial 
traffic. All commercial waterfront facilities are operational with the exception of one pier used by the Container 

Yard for Harbor Tugs, which has been condemned; no anticipated impacts to harbor operations. The 
Navigation Team has completed the assessment of water navigation aids for American Samoa and the 

surrounding islands; all aids are intact and considered ready to support day and night operations.  

 

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Disaster Medical Assistance Teams are providing medical 

support to survivors; a public health official has been deployed along with other support staff including public 
health experts; providing medical and pharmaceutical equipment and supplies.  

U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI): DOI's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has deployed a 

representative to the FEMA NRCC. The Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance is also sending 
representatives to the NRCC as needed, for response and recovery planning.  

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): Analysts at the USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) are 

providing a range of rapid earthquake information products to support emergency response and relief 
operations. USGS will also be sending a team of scientists to American Samoa to conduct a post-tsunami 

investigation. USGS has activated the International Charter for Space and Major Disasters for both the Samoa 
and Sumatra earthquakes to coordinate the collection and dissemination of imagery and other remote sensing 

data for use in response activities through the USGS Hazards Data Distribution System.  

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE): USACE Honolulu District, in coordination with FEMA, deployed 

subject-matter-experts in debris, emergency power support and water systems to American Samoa to assess 
and evaluate the extent and quantity of the damage, and assist the local American Samoa governments with 

repair plans. Soldiers from the 249th Prime Power Engineer Battalion, Company B are assisting with the 
management of the Honolulu District's Emergency Power PRT with the installation of FEMA generators at 

critical prioritized life-saving and life-sustaining public facilities like shelters, sewer and water treatment plants 
or emergency management and response facilities. Honolulu District engineers and project managers are 

using satellite imagery and contacting project sponsors in American Samoa to gather initial damage 
assessments for Samoan shore protection projects, small boat harbors and flood control projects.  

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD): Defense Coordinating Officer deployed; U.S. Pacific Command (DOD) is 

providing refrigeration support to operations; USS Ingram prepared to assist with equipment and supplies.  

National Guard Bureau (NGB): Deployed personnel including those with medical and search and rescue 

experience and disaster relief supplies; deploying specialized communication gear and support staff.  

Small Business Administration (SBA): Deploying approximately 40 assistance workers to assist in recovery 
efforts; SBA customer service representatives will issue disaster loan applications, answer questions about the 

loan program, explain the process and answer questions.  

Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Victims of the recent tsunami in American Samoa may qualify for tax relief 
from the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS is postponing certain deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have 

a business in the disaster area. For details and additional information please visit www.irs.gov, use keyword 
American Samoa Tsunami.  

American Red Cross (ARC): The American Red Cross has deployed volunteers on the ground in American 
Samoa providing food and supplies in affected areas; a leadership team of approximately 70 volunteers is 

arriving on the island to supplement the local Red Cross workforce. The Red Cross has activated their Safe 
and Well program to assist families with finding missing loved ones.  

Non-governmental organizations, including the American Red Cross are also providing assistance to the 

impacted region. Financial contributions to disaster relief organizations in the form of cash donations will allow 
voluntary organizations to fund response and recovery efforts quickly and provide goods and services to 

disaster survivors. Your financial support will help the American Red Cross respond quickly to disasters like 
the Pacific Islands tsunami in American Samoa and Samoa. You can donate by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-

800-733-2767) or (1-800-257-7575 (Spanish), or visiting www.redcross.org, and donate to the American Red 
Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  

 

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In additional to response efforts in American Samoa, FEMA and its partners also have resources and 

personnel, including an Incident Management Assistance Team and Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, pre-
positioned in Guam, Hawaii and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in preparation for 

potential landfall or effects of Typhoon Melor. Updates on operations in American Samoa as well as any 
necessary response to Typhoon Melor will be released as they become available.  

For more information on preparation efforts for Typhoon Melor, please visit: 

www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=49710

  

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to 
build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate 

all hazards.