Governor establishes Search & Rescue Agency

memorial-day-lemanu

The American Samoa Government will have an independent search and rescue agency.

Yesterday, Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga issued an executive order which established the American Samoa Search and Rescue Agency—an independent agency within the Executive Branch of the American Samoa Government.

It will be responsible for providing search, rescue, fire protection, marine patrol, and emergency medical services.

Governor Lemanu notes in the executive order that search, rescue, fire protection, marine patrol, and emergency medical services are specialized functions that are distinct from those typically associated with law enforcement.

He believes by establishing the stand alone agency responsible for these tasks, the safety of our community will be improved.

The American Samoa Search and Rescue Agency will combine the fire and marine patrol division, currently under the Department of Public Safety and the EMS, under the LBJ Hospital. All funds now assigned to those divisions, under DPS and LBJ, are transferred to the new agency.

The Governor shall appoint a Director of the new agency who is not subject to Fono confirmation and serves at the pleasure of the Governor.

The agency will have a Fire Chief, EMS Chief and Marine Patrol Chief.

The executive order takes effect on July 1st and will be in effect until the Search and Rescue Department is established by legislation.