Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Search and Rescue (DSAR) has announced the retirement of the Department of Fire Protection Chief Cliff U. O’Brien, in a media release dated January 22, 2024. His last day was on Dec. 25, 2023.

A farewell luncheon was held for O’Brien on Jan. 19, 2024, which was attended by his colleagues, family and friends, and where DSAR Director Save Liuato Tuitele formally announced O’Brien’s retirement.

The DSAR director pointed out during his announcement at the luncheon that Chief O’Brien has spent 48 years serving the people of American Samoa, “diligently and faithfully”. He also acknowledged and thanked the support the Fire chief received on the home front from his family.

Throughout his career, O’Brien has served in every rank of the fire department and first joined the Fire Brigade of American Samoa as a First Responder in Sept. 1975. He received training from multiple prestigious programs such as the National Fire Academy United States Fire Administration, The National Wildfire Coordinating Group, FEMA- US Dept of Homeland Security, to name a few.

It was in 2005 that O’Brien became Fire Chief, when it was under the Dept. of Public Safety. He continued his service in this position for 18 years before submitting his retirement resignation last year.

“Throughout the years, I have witnessed the growth and evolution of our department, and it has been an honor to contribute to its success,” Fire Chief O’Brien said.

The Boys Scout organization has also recognized O’Brien, who is the “first American Samoa Eagle Scout to achieve the career milestone as the Fire Chief of American Samoa.”

The DSAR of American Samoa “salutes” the Fire Chief and his loving family who have stood by his side in the almost fives decades of service — tautua — in the American Samoa Government.

[courtesy photo]