ODAPM head reports on highly informative FEMA public assistance workshop

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Office of Disaster Assistance and Petroleum Management (ODAPM) director Lisa Tuato’o and ODAPM’s Public Assistance Grants Coordinator, Lologa Olo joined more than 30 state, territorial and tribal officials at last week’s Public Assistance Working Session hosted by the U.S Federal Emergency Management Agency in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

The workshop was held Aug. 09 to Aug. 11 at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute campus.

ODAPM administers and provides oversight of all Public Assistance funds made available when American Samoa receives a federal declaration signed by the U.S. President for a local disaster.   

“The purpose of Public Assistance is to support communities’ recovery from major disasters by providing them with assistance for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoring public infrastructure,” said FEMA.

Responding to Samoa News queries, Tuato’o, explained that this annual workshop session was for all states and territories that administer public assistance FEMA funds “to share their challenges, success stories and lessons learned with the Public Assistance reimbursement process.”

 This also includes information about the FEMA “Verify As You Go (VayGo)” module in the Grants Portal and updates of relevant policies, said Tuato’o who returned to the territory on Monday night’s flight from Honolulu.

“This workshop is critical for not only ODAPM but our analysts from Treasury, Budget and Procurement offices to attend so the information is transparent across the board especially when processing payments for vendors who provide the services during the recovery phase of federally declared disasters,” Tuato’o explained.

“In these unprecedented times with all types of disasters from man made to natural disasters to include the public health emergency for COVID-19, etc., we must remain prepared at all times,” she pointed out.  “This means our ASG personnel must be equipped with appropriate training to ensure a smooth support operation with the administration of federal funds in the aftermath of disasters.”

“In times of emergency, the government depends heavily on the private sector to render debris removal, emergency repair services, protection measures, etc. and the Public Assistance support staff - ODAPM, Treasury, Budget & Procurement - must be well versed on their related duties and responsibilities,” Tuato’o added.

And she “highly recommends” that Treasury, Budget and Procurement offices send representations to next year’s workshop session, to learn more and obtain additional information on FEMA’s Public Assistance fund program.

ODAPM plans to provide Public Assistance training, as one of the events, for the Disaster Resilience Summit set for Sep. 27 to Sept. 29 at Gov. Rex Lee Auditorium. And ODAPM will soon be releasing details and information about the summit.