FEMA preparedness panel planned

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will establish a new National Advisory Council to provide advice to it on all aspects of emergency preparedness and response.Public- and private-sector leaders, executives, elected officials and subject-matter experts in emergency management, medical services, fire, law enforcement and public safety are invited to submit applications by March 9to join the council.The new committee is being set up under FEMA reform legislation approved by Congress last year. The new law, intended to correct major shortcomings in how FEMA coped with the Hurricane Katrina and Rita disasters, is designed to strengthen FEMA’s role as an agency within the Homeland Security Department.The council will advise FEMA on a variety of preparedness and response matters, including the National Incident Management System and the National Response Plan, according to a .“The development of the National Advisory Council, along with the tireless efforts of the dedicated public servants at FEMA, will go hand-in-hand in setting the course to obtain our vision for a new FEMA,” FEMA Director David Paulison said. “Together, we will lead our organization to become the nation's pre-eminent emergency management agency.” Government Computer News’ .