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American Samoa Government - PR001-01222026
Posted: January 22, 2026
O le Fa’au’uga o Sui Fou o le Vaega o le Mua’au i le Tali Atu i
Fa’alavelave Fa’afuase’i, o le Matagaluega o le Sa’ili ma Lavea’i
TAFUNA, Amerika Samoa – Sa fa’atautaia e le Matagaluega o le Sa’ili ma Lavea’i le fa’au’uga i lo latou maota tutotonu i Tafuna. Sa aofaga potopoto atu tagata faipine o le Mālō, o aiga, ma tagata o le atunu’u e fa’amamaluina sui e to’asefulu ma le tolu ua aloa’iaina mo le aega o le mua’au i le tali atu i fa’alavelave fa’afuase’i.
Sa tuvaoina le fa’amoemoe i le saunoaga a le Kapeteni o le vaega o le EMS ia Lesolo Kolio. Sa amatalia le fa’amoemoe i se upu fa’amalosi mai le Afioga a Patele Kelemete Pua’auli mai le Ekalesia Katoliko i ‘Aūa. Sa ia fa’asoa i se fe’au taūa e uiga i aso ‘a‘o avea o ia ma tagata tausi soifua ‘a‘o le’i ulufale i le seminare , o se galuega na fa’atulagaina lona ta’utinoga i le ola tautua ma le auauna ma le agaalofa.
O le afioga le fa’atonu o le DSAR ia Utumoe Alefosio na ulua’i saunoa e fa’amalo i le ‘au fa’au’u mo latou ola finafinau ma le fa’atauaina o le ta’utinoga a le Matagalugea, o le nofo sauni i taimi e tali atu ai i fa’alavelave fa’afuase’i.
Na tanoa fa’alele le Kovana Lutena ia Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. e momoli le agaga fa’amalo i sui fou ua fa’au’uina, ona o lo latou loto mau ma le ola ofoina atoa mo lenei galuega, ma sa ia fa’afetaia lo latou sao e ofo mai o latou soifua mo lenei vala’auina. Sa ia fa’amalosi’au i le ‘au fa’au’u e ‘aua ne’i alo ese mai lu’itau, ma fa’amanatu ia te i latou o le ‘auga tonu lea o le vala’auina, o le fa’ato’ilaloina o mea faigata e tusa ai ma le ala nei ua latou filifilia. Ua me’eme’e le loto a le ali’i Kovana Lutena ona o loto malie o le ‘au fa’au’u e fai le faiva o le tausi mo tagata o Amerika Samoa.
O le susuga le Faia’oga o le EMT ia Jonathan Mageo na fa’atautaia porokalama o le aso, ma aloa’iaina ai taumafaiga o le ‘au fa’au’u e ala i latou toleniga, o lea ua i’u ma le manuia.
O le afioga le Kovana Lutena ma le afioga ia Patele Pua’auli sa taua’ao atu ia tusipasi aloa’ia i le ‘au fa’au’u. Sa auai fo’i aiga i tu ma faiga masani, o le fa’apineina o latou alo, o le fa’ailoga o le lagolago malosi mo sui fou auā lenei la’asaga o le tausi soifua.
O se tasi vaega taūa o le porokalama na fa’ailoaina ai se ati’ina’ega maoa’e o le Matagaluega, o le fa’amanuiaina o ta’avale tali atu i fa’alavelave fa’afuase’i e lua. O lenei ati’ina’e fou ua taunu’u ona o le galulue so’oso’o tau’au ma le lagolago mai o le Fa’atonu o le vaega o le ARPA, le susuga ia Puiali’i John Faumuina. O lona sao taūa sa fa’aagaga mai lea o se alagatupe mo ta’avale ae fa’apea meatotino e fa’atino ai a’oa’oga mo le ‘au tausi soifua fou. O lea poroketi, ua fa’ailoa
mai ai le malosi o le lagolagosua a le Mālō mo le puipuiga lautele ma nofo sauni mo fa’alavelave fa’afuase’i.
Sa fa’aleo le agaga fa’afetai a le afioga le fa’atonu ia Alefosio i le ofisa o le ARPA ma le Mālō mo le lagolagosua fa’aauau. O le velo ‘aso fa’atasi o pa’aga ua mafai ai na ausia nei fa’amoemoe ua fa’ataunu’uina.
E momoli le agaga fa’amalo a le Matagaluega o le Sa’ili ma Lavea’i i sui e 13 a le EMS, ma e le masalosalo le va’ai atu i le lumana’i i tou sao o le a faia aua le soifua maloloina ma le saogalemu o le atunu’u. Malo le toa! Malo fai o le faiva!
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Lieutenant Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. Joins Department of Search and Rescue in Honoring 13 New Emergency Medical Services Graduates
TAFUNA, American Samoa – The Department of Search and Rescue (DSAR) proudly hosted a graduation ceremony at its headquarters in Tafuna as government officials, families, and community members gathered to honor thirteen newly certified Emergency Medical Services (EMS) graduates.
The program opened under the direction of EMS Captain Lesolo Kolio. The program opened with spiritual reflection from Reverend Father Kelemete Puaauli of ‘Aūa Fatima Catholic Church. Father Puaauli shared a wonderful message, recounting his own service as a medic prior to entering the seminary, an experience that deeply shaped his commitment to service and compassion.
SAR Director Utumoe Alefosio delivered the official opening address, commending the graduates for their perseverance and emphasizing the department’s commitment to expanding emergency response readiness.
Lieutenant Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. delivered special remarks, expressing deep appreciation for the bravery and commitment of the new medics. He thanked the young men and women for stepping forward. He urged each graduate not to shy away from challenges, reminding them that overcoming obstacles is central to the calling they have chosen. Lieutenant Governor extended his gratitude for their willingness to care and to the people of American Samoa.
Following his remarks, EMT Instructor Jonathan Mageo led the ceremonial proceedings, recognizing the graduates’ achievements and the rigorous training they completed.
Lieutenant Governor Pulumataala and Reverend Father Puaauli had the distinguished honor of presenting certificates to each graduate. Families then participated in the traditional pinning ceremony, symbolizing the support system behind every medic entering the new stage. EMS Chief Fa’aita Joseph Fa’aita administered the official oath, formally inducting the graduates into their roles as emergency medical responders.
The second portion of the program highlighted a major advancement for the department, the blessing and dedication of two newly acquired ambulance vehicles. This enhancement to the fleet was made possible through the collaboration and support of ARPA Director Puialii John James Faumuina, whose efforts secured funding for the vehicles as well as essential training materials for the new medics. The support of the government for this project demonstrates a strong commitment to public safety and readiness for emergencies.
Director Alefosio expressed deep gratitude to ARPA leadership and the government for their continued support, noting that the combined efforts of all partners made the day’s achievements possible.
The Department of Search and Rescue extends its warmest congratulations to the 13 EMS graduates and looks forward to the vital contributions they will bring to the health and safety of the community. Congratulations graduates!
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