FEMA starts search to create civilian advisory panel

The Homeland Security Department’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is seeking a few good men and women to form a national panel that will advise the agency’s director.The creation of the National Advisory Council was prompted by the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006.FEMA said the council will play an advisory role, helping the agency’s administrator ensure proper coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other manmade disasters.The council will focus on the development and revision of the national preparedness goal, the national preparedness system, the National Incident Management System, the National Response Plan and other related plans and strategies, according to FEMA’s announcement on Feb. 14.Individuals seeking to be considered for the council must submit a résumé by March 9 that details their experience in emergency management and related fields.