Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a recent email to the director of Director of the Department of Search and Rescue (DSAR) Alefosio, Faipule Fagaima Larry Sanitoa requested reports on eight (8) fires that have occurred since August of last year in the territory.

Fagaima is the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee and a senior member of the House Public Safety Committee.

On Tuesday, July 14th, the DSAR director responded to Fagaima’s request formally requesting that he submit “a formal letter of request to the Office of the Governor for the fire investigation reports.

“Once we receive authorization, we will promptly assist with your request,” he state.

Fagaima noted Alefosio’s response and copied the email to House Legal Counsel, Mr. Nathaniel Savali, and Legislative Financial Officer, Mr. Alfred Annadale. “They will submit a request for the fire investigation reports pursuant to ASCA 2.0602 (Cooperation of Government Agencies).”

In his email he states that they “are particularly interested in the cause of each fire, the actions taken to address these incidents, and the measures being taken to raise public awareness.

The Tualauta faipule continues, “Since the Legislature is in recess until Monday, July 27, we hope this provides sufficient time for you to prepare and submit these reports before our committee hearing.”

ORIGINAL REQUEST

Fagaima points out in his original request that the eight fires he identifies does not include “the recent fire last month at the RM Construction office near the TAOA office, which I understand the DPS CID division is currently investigating.”

The eight fires he is requesting information on are:

August 27, 2025 —        Fagatogo home

October 4, 2025 —        Pavaia’i home

April 13, 2026 —            Nu’uuli business (Pago Print Shop)

June 7, 2026 —             Pavaia’i home (Edwina)

June 18, 2026 —           Fagaima- four (4) homes

July 3, 2026 —               Fagatogo home

July 6, 2026 —               Fagatogo- DPS holding cells

July 12, 2026 —             Faleniu- 4 homes

The faipule states that while they “are grateful that there have been no serious injuries, these fires have caused significant hardship for many displaced families.”

He continues that “arson has been suspected in some of these cases, and I would like to know if active criminal investigations are underway.”

Fagaima goes on to address long-standing concerns in the community “regarding insufficient fire hydrants and low water pressure, particularly in the densely populated areas of the Tualauta district and Fagatogo village.”

ASPA management officials were copied in the same email, asking them for their input.

Additionally, the chairman of the House Public Safety Committee, Faipule Avagafono Maiava was copied, apprising him of his plan to request an urgent committee hearing to review DSAR’s reports and discuss the actions their office is taking to address and raise awareness about these issues.

The Criminal Intelligence & Investigative Bureau has since reached out to Fagaima to give him an update on an arson case it is investigating. The faipule has asked if CIIB is currently investigating any other arson cases.

BACKGROUND

Lack of funding to address fire fighting problems such as water pressure and inadequate fire hydrants to deliver the water has long been a problem in the territory. Lack of equipment and training for fire fighting personnel adds to the problems, with lack of real funding for a department that is often expected by then public to save lives and property in the community, with its “bare hands”.

Of note, the central fire station located in Fagatogo remains only partially operational, because it was formally closed more than a month ago by the Department of Health due to unsafe and unsanitary conditions. According to the DSAR director, two firefighters and the Fire Chief are still working out of an office inside the station, and that one fire truck remains housed there.

Fagatogo’s Faipule Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr wrote to the Governor expressing concern that the closure of the Fagatogo Fire Station may have slowed response times, particularly during the fire behind the DPS & Fire station, with firefighters having to come from Tafuna to reach the scene.

Gurr also questioned why, after more than a month, the issues that led to the station’s closure — unsafe wiring, filthy bathrooms, and other hazards — have not yet been addressed.

The DSAR director acknowledged the delay in repairs, but pointed to renovations awaiting the processing of paperwork — which would include a construction or maintenance contract that would have to be bid out. There is no source of the funding for the contract mentioned.