Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Department of Homeland Security (ASDHS) issued a notice last month advising the public of the maintenance and repair work ongoing for all emergency sirens on Tutuila and Aunu’u.

Contractor for the project, American Signals Corporation, is on island, for the work, which began on Jan. 21. “The public is urged to not be alarmed due to this since the sirens will most likely be activated without prior notice as part of maintenance operations,” said ASDHS.

And some residents, including those in the Bay Area, have reported the sirens were activated, and Samoa News staff also heard it in the town area last week.

ASPA and ASDHS in collaboration with the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) are working with the off-island contractor.

The Governor’s State of the Territory Comprehensive Report distributed last month to lawmakers provided a brief update on the status of the siren alert system, which it says is 90% operable at this time.

And this is largely due to the collaborated efforts of ASPA, ASTCA and ASDHS — which are coordinating closely with American Signal Corporation (ASC) since the loosening of travel restrictions into American Samoa; and the arrival of equipment and spare parts to rehabilitate long standing sirens that are due routine maintenance (siren heads, solar panels, batteries, etc.) to prevent deterioration from natural elements. ASDHS continues to conduct operational meetings with key players from each ASG department and with civilian agencies to help identify and mitigate any or all challenges during planning and response.

According to the report, ASDHS maintains: 30 EOC Radio Activated Sirens; and 21 Push-Button Activated Sirens. Six inoperable sirens were reported.

ASG officials says that there are plans to also upgrade and evaluate sirens in the Manu’a island group.