WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is requesting individuals who are interested in serving on the National Advisory Council (NAC) to apply for appointment.  FEMA is seeking to reappoint or replace 11 seats on the Council in 2009 as the incumbents' terms end June 15, 2009.

Release Date: February 6, 2009 Release Number: HQ-09-017

The NAC was established to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of Federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters.  The NAC assists FEMA in carrying out its missions by providing advice and recommendations in the development and revision of the national preparedness guidance, the national preparedness system, the National Incident Management System, the National Response Framework, and other related plans and strategies.  Since their conception, the council has made recommendations to the Administrator on the National Response Framework, the National Incident Management System, the Stafford Act, the National Disaster Housing Strategy, the establishment of Regional Disability Coordinators in each FEMA region, private sector issues, and special needs issues.

The Council consists of thirty-five members, all of whom are recognized experts and outstanding leaders in their respective fields. The following discipline areas for three (3) year terms expiring on June 15, 2012 are open for applications and nominations: Emergency Management, Emergency Response In-Patient Medical Provider, Cyber Security, State Elected Official, Local Elected Official, and three appointments, which will be selected at the discretion of the FEMA Administrator. The ex officio position's term from the Homeland Security Advisory Council's Emergency Responder Senior Advisory Committee will also be ending in July 2009. In addition to the these new appointments, FEMA seeks applications to fill the remaining term of the Disability representative position, which ends on June 15, 2011, as the current representative will be retiring in May 2009.

Individuals seeking to be considered for an appointment on the Council should submit a resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing their experience in the arena of emergency management and related fields, along with letters of recommendation. FEMA also welcomes recommendations from organizations and stakeholder groups. Applicants should state for which discipline area or areas they are applying. Applications or resumes must be received on or before 5:00 pm EST on Friday, March 6, 2009, in order to be considered. Please direct applications to the agency's Designated Federal Officer via one of the following outlets:

Mail: Alyson Price
Designated Federal Officer
FEMA, National Advisory Council
500 C Street, SW Room 718
Washington, DC  20472
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Fax: (202) 646-4176

You may view the Federal Register notice at edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2295.pdf.

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There are specific membership types associated with the indicated disciplines open for new appointments at this time. Some members are appointed as Special Government Employees (SGE) as defined in section 202(a) of title 18, United States Code. Members will be categorized as either "representative" or SGE. SGE members are subject to Federal ethics laws and regulations and are required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450), which can be found on the Office of Government Ethics website, www.oge.gov.

The development of the National Advisory Council was set into motion by the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 and held its first inaugural meeting October 22-23, 2007.  Additional information on the National Advisory Council, to include recommendations, can be found on its website at www.fema.gov/about/nac.  

FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and man-made disasters.