FRM and Silver Jackets WorkshopAugust 23, 2012 EA/HHF

Joint Venture

EA/HHF Joint Venture

American Samoa Tsunami Study

American Samoa

Athline Clark &Thomas D. Smith, P.E.US Army Corps of EngineersHonolulu District

• Study goals and objectives• Study process and approach• Stakeholder engagement• Study products and findings• Final recommendations

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TopicsTopics

2009 Tsunami Propagation Map (NOAA)

Study Goals and ObjectivesStudy Goals and Objectives

•GOALS• Improve Tsunami Resilience• Build Platform for Exchange and Learning

•OBJECTIVES• Provide Overview of Related Topics• Develop Single Resource Base• Compile Study and Project Recommendations• Develop Implementation Plan

Tsunami Advisory Committee Membership• Governor’s Authorized Representative• Governor’s Economic Advisory Council• ASG Department of Commerce• ASG Department of Homeland

Security/ Territorial Emergency Management Coordination Office (TEMCO)

• ASG Department of Public Works• American Samoa Telecommunications

Authority• American Samoa Power Authority• Office of Samoan Affairs• American Samoa Disaster Recovery

Office

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• American Samoa Legislative Branch (Senate)

• American Samoa Legislative Branch (House)

• Unified Health Command• American Samoa Chamber of

Commerce• American Samoa Voluntary

Organizations Active in Disaster• Department of Interior Office of

Insular Affairs• Chairman, Governor’s Post-

Tsunami Task Force

Additional Agency Input

On-Island Technical Advisory Group – Federal PartnersOrganization Organization

National Park Service Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary National Oceanic & Atmospheric

Administration National Weather Service, Pago Pago

Weather Service Office

Off- Island Technical Input– Pacific Risk Management Ohana (PRiMO)Organization Organization

Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management AgencyPacific Tsunami Warning Center (NOAA)

National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA)International Tsunami Information Center (NOAA)

Pacific Services Center (NOAA)

University of Hawaii:Dept of Urban and Regional Planning

Pacific Business Center ProgramSocial Science Research Institute

National Disaster Preparedness Training Center United States Geological Survey

Website

Content• Home• Updates• Reports• Resources• Links• Feedback• Contact UsPurpose• Compendium of information• Outreach and Education• Venue for Public Comment• Access to Study Products 6

http://ASTsunamiResilience.org

Dual Approach

Community Activities• Village-based approaches

and ongoing initiatives• Recommendations to

strengthen current initiatives

ASG Activities• Identify key areas for

Government Agency Roles• Identify coordination

opportunities

Government Agency Roles

Village Level Initiatives

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Resilience

Research Topics

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Core Papers1. Governance2. Society & Economy3. Coastal Resource Management4. Land Use and Structural Design5. Risk Knowledge 6. Warning & Evacuation7. Emergency Response 8. Disaster Recovery

Additional Papers9. Critical Infrastructure 10. Chronology11. Case Studies 12. Geomorphology

Study Intro – General Approach

Three Study Phases• Phase I: Compendium of Information/ Website• Phase II: Focused Research Papers• Phase III: ASTS Report

Six Work Elements• Pre-Planning• Gap Analysis• Website

Study Framework

• TAC Meetings• Research Papers• Report

Study Process

Feedback from TAC Workshop (1/20)

Discussions on:• Additional Concerns• Priority Ranking• Lead Agencies

Agency and Public Participation

Recommendations and Implementation

Top priority criteria:

• Save lives• Sustain resilience

building efforts• Boost Economy

Recommendationssorted by:

• Priority• Cost• Timeframe• Type

Recommendations organized by core factors of resilience and criteria

Recommendations and Implementation

Learn Withstand Recover 1. Information Management

1.1 - Sustaining Resilience Efforts 1.2 - EOP Reporting 1.3 - Public Awareness 1.4 - Critical Infrastructure 1.5 - Accountability 1.6 - Capital Improvements

2. Emergency Planning

2.1 - Evacuation Plan Awareness 2.2 - Evacuation of Commercial

Enterprises 2.3 - Redevelopment 2.4 - Medical Services 2.5 - Port Contingency 2.6 - School Evacuation Drills 2.7 - Special Needs Evacuation

3. Land Use & Structural Design 3.1 - Tsunami Modeling 3.2 - Relocations 3.3 - Building Techniques/Regulations 3.4 - Shore Protection 3.5 - Long Range Land Use 3.6 - Hospital Modification 3.7 - Tsunami Loss 3.8 - Natural Resource Education 3.9 - Flood Mapping 3.10 - Land Use Management

4. Utilities

4.1 - Radio Reception 4.2 - Telecommunication 4.3 - Power 4.4 - Emergency Alert System

5. Response Capacity

5.1 - Programmatic Agreements 5.2 - Clinic Expansion 5.3 - Evacuation Route Maintenance 5.4 - Traffic Study 5.5 - Training 5.6 - Evacuation Routes, Mapping,

Signage 5.7 - Risk and Response Education 5.8 - Testing Warning Communications 5.9 - Facilities at Major Assembly Areas

6. Economy 6.1 - Comprehensive Plan 6.2 - Community Goals 6.3 - Public Infrastructure 6.4 - Tourism 6.5 - Job Training and Development 6.6 - Economic Stimulation 6.7 - Agriculture and Fishing Outreach 6.8 - Recovery Fund

7. Health Services

7.1 - Counseling and Outreach/Support Services

8. Clean-up

8.1 - Refuse 8.2 - Reef/Marine Debris 8.3 - Critical Facilities and Roads 8.4 - CZM 8.5 - Equipment

Top priority recommendations

Withstand

Land Use & Structural Designo Tsunami modelingo School and critical facility assessment for relocation or modification (EOC, hospital, schools, shelters)o Structural modification guidebook for coastal homes

Utilitieso Radio coverage analysis to identify areas where warning communication improvements are needed

Response Capacityo Programmatic agreements to more effectively utilize available on-island resources during disaster responseo Expand medical clinics in outlying areas to reduce dependence on the main hospital

Recover

Economyo Consolidate existing economic plans into a comprehensive economic development strategy

Health Serviceso Support efforts to bolster post-disaster counseling services, training and outreach on available health resources

Learn

Information Managemento Executive Order to sustain resilience efforts through expansion of HMC membership and responsibilitieso Improve public awareness and information sharing on disaster management related documents o Development of a critical infrastructure database

Emergency Planningo Support village preparedness planning and training o Provide informational bulletins for at risk villages and vulnerable populationso Develop formal policy on evacuation plan and outreach for vulnerable commercial enterprises

ConclusionsConclusions

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• Study provides comprehensive overview of key considerations relevant to building coastal community resilience in American Samoa

• The TAC guidance was key to the success of the study• Momentum for building coastal community resilience

must be sustained• It is hoped that the Hazard Mitigation Counsel will be

expanded to assume the responsibility for implementing study recommendations

• Study recommendations present ways to bolster coastal community resilience within the geographic and economic constraints unique to American Samoa.

Fa’afetai!Fa’afetai!

For More Information:

Study Website:http://astsunamiresilience.org

Athline Clark – Project ManagerAthline.M.Clark@usace.army.mil

Tom Smith – Technical LeadThomas.D.Smith@usace.army.mil

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