American Samoa governor Togiola Tulafono has requested cabinet members to assist in training of village mayors.
During the cabinet meeting Togiola asked all directors to support coordination and training of village mayors on emergency preparedness and other matters.
This is reported to be part of an initiative to strengthen the role of village mayors within the Office of Samoan Affairs.
Our correspondent says because mayors are right in their respective villages when emergency situations occurred, the government wants to make sure that village mayors are well prepared to respond before other government emergency services arrive on the scene.
Key agencies expected to be involved in this initiative include the local Department of Homeland Security, Department of Public Safety and the Department of Health.
