Overview
Title
National Advisory Council
Agencies
ELI5 AI
FEMA is looking for people to join a special group to help them plan for emergencies, like big storms or fires. These people will talk on the phone with others to share ideas, and they need to send an email to apply by March 12, 2021.
Summary AI
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is seeking qualified individuals to join its National Advisory Council (NAC). The council advises FEMA on various aspects of emergency management, ensuring coordination with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as private sectors. Interested applicants can apply by submitting a package via email before March 12, 2021, outlining their qualifications and interest. Applicants chosen will serve for three years, participating in subcommittee meetings, which meet regularly via teleconference.
Abstract
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requests that qualified individuals interested in serving on the FEMA National Advisory Council (NAC) apply for appointment as identified in this notice. Pursuant to the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA), the NAC advises the FEMA Administrator on all aspects of emergency management to incorporate input from and ensure coordination with State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, and the non- governmental and private sectors on developing and revising national plans and strategies, the administration of and assessment of FEMA's grant programs, and the development and evaluation of risk assessment methodologies. The NAC consists of up to thirty-five (35) members, all of whom are experts and leaders in their respective fields. FEMA seeks to appoint individuals to seven (7) discipline-specific positions on the NAC and up to four (4) members as Administrator Selections. If other positions open during the application and selection period, FEMA may select qualified candidates from the pool of applications.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released a call for applicants to fill positions on its National Advisory Council (NAC). This council serves an important role in shaping how FEMA coordinates emergency management efforts across the country, incorporating insights from various governmental and private sectors. Individuals with expertise in specific areas such as cybersecurity, communications, medical services, and emergency management are encouraged to apply, with successful candidates serving a three-year term during which they contribute to the NAC's work.
General Summary
The document details FEMA's request for applications to the NAC, highlighting the roles and responsibilities of council members. These individuals advise FEMA on emergency management practices, helping enhance coordination among federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities. Members meet in person twice yearly while participating in regular teleconferences for subcommittee work. Although the agency reimburses travel expenses, it does not compensate members for their time.
Issues and Concerns
Several issues arise from this document:
Evaluation Criteria: The document broadly outlines qualifications such as leadership and emergency management experience but lacks specific criteria, which could lead to ambiguity and inconsistent selection practices.
Expense Reimbursement Guidelines: While FEMA mentions that it reimburses travel expenses, the lack of specific guidelines on what constitutes reasonable spending could result in excessive costs.
Diversity and Inclusion: The agency expresses a commitment to diversity; however, it fails to detail strategies for achieving this within its recruitment process, leaving intentions somewhat vague.
Terminology and Clarity: The use of terms like Special Government Employee (SGE) without definition may confuse potential applicants unfamiliar with government terminology, possibly discouraging qualified individuals from applying.
Broad Impact on the Public
Recruiting qualified individuals to the NAC is crucial for ensuring that FEMA remains responsive and effective, particularly during disasters. By advising FEMA on comprehensive emergency strategies, these members affect preparedness and response tactics, ultimately impacting how quickly and efficiently help reaches affected communities.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For emergency management professionals and stakeholders, involvement in the NAC provides an opportunity to influence national strategy. However, potential applicants may find the lack of clarity and specificity a barrier to applying, possibly limiting the pool of diverse and qualified candidates. Moreover, FEMA's current employees and lobbyists face restrictions that could limit their eligibility, narrowing the field further.
In sum, while the document outlines a critical recruitment drive that could significantly impact emergency readiness across the nation, it also presents some challenges that FEMA may need to address to ensure a diverse and expert council.
Issues
• The document does not provide detailed criteria for evaluating applicants, such as specific qualifications or experiences beyond general leadership and emergency management experience, which could lead to ambiguity in selection.
• Spending on reimbursement for travel expenses is mentioned, but there is no clear guideline or budget cap, which might lead to excessive or wasteful spending.
• The document states that DHS does not discriminate and strives for diversity, yet does not provide specific initiatives or strategies for outreach to diverse candidate pools.
• Terms such as Special Government Employee (SGE) and Representative, and U.S.C. references (section 202(a) of title 18, U.S.C.) are used but not explained in detail, potentially causing misunderstanding among applicants not familiar with government terminology.