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(EMAILWIRE.COM, October 03, 2009 ) WASHINGTON - 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 TuesdayÂ’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, 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 liters of water, over 1,500 blankets, over 800 tents, and hundreds of cots have been delivered in support of the territoryÂ’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.
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): DOIÂ’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.
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.
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.
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