Funding from the US Department of Homeland Security to help improve the territory’s capability to respond in times of disasters has enabled the purchase of a $100,000 backhoe assigned to the Department of Public Works.
The heavy equipment is necessary to clear roads after natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes or tsunamis.
Deputy Director of the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security Jacinta Brown says the procurement of the backhoe went through the bidding process. There were three bidders and the winning bidder was Crown Ltd.
An initial request for funding was denied by the federal grantor.
Brown says because of the vital need for this equipment they put together a second proposal which was accepted by the US Department of Homeland Security.
The backhoe is only used for emergency and disaster purposes as necessary.
A memorandum between the DPW and Homeland Security for the use of the backhoe is in place.
In the past, Homeland Security was granted federal funding for the purchase of ambulances for the hospital, trucks for the Department of Port Administration and vehicles for the Department of Public Safety, all for emergency response functions.
In addition, communication systems to be used in times of disasters have been upgraded.
The Homeland Security Deputy Director was thankful to their federal counterparts for approving American Samoa’s request.
