National Park of American Samoa: Salvage, Recovery And Assistance Operations Continue

Recovery operations continue at the National Park of American Samoa. Assisting are the Western Incident Management Team, two U.S. Public Health Service officers, two critical incident stress management counselors, three cultural resource specialists and an NPS special agent, all of whom are now in place on American Samoa. Park employees are salvaging cultural resources and park files and nt and moving them to secure storage. Salvage operations will continue through today. Park staff continue to periodically assist the USCG with rescue and body recovery operations as the need arises. As the park begins to finish its salvage operations, park employees will be made available to assist the broader FEMA-led territorial recovery operation. The Hawaii Natural History Association has set up a Bank of Hawaii special donation account for assistance to park employees affected by this week’s natural disasters, as that bank’s branch in American Samoa survived without serious damage. Those wishing to donate can make checks payable to NPSA Employee Disaster Relief Fund, and for now, mail t Hawaii Natural History Association, PO Box 74, Hawaii National Park, Hi 96718. Information on how to make donations directly to the bank will be posted when available. The Pacific West Region and National Park of Samoa are grateful for all the offers of assistance that have poured in from around the country, including from many retired NPS employees. At this time, we are meeting our resource needs, but are keeping a list of those who have offered to assist. We will utilize that list should we require additional resources at a later time.