[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 138 (Thursday, July 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46804-46805]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15409]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID: FEMA-2023-0017]


National Advisory Council

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: Committee management; request for applicants for appointment to 
a subcommittee of the National Advisory Council.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requests that 
qualified individuals interested in serving on a subcommittee of the 
FEMA National Advisory Council (NAC), apply for appointment as 
identified in this notice to provide advice as required by the Planning 
for Animal Wellness Act. Appointed members will serve on the 
subcommittee only and will not be members of the NAC.

DATES: FEMA will accept applications until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 
August 10, 2023.

ADDRESSES: The only method for application package submission is by 
email. Application packages by U.S. Mail will not be considered. Please 
submit using the following method: Email: Dawn Essenmacher, Alternate 
Designated Federal Officer, Office of Policy and Program Analysis, 
FEMA, [email protected], (202) 212-3026. Save materials in one 
file using the naming convention, ``[Last Name]_[First Name]_PAW 
Application'' and attach to the email.
    FEMA will send you an email that confirms receipt of your 
application and will notify you of the final status of your application 
once FEMA selects members.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dawn Essenmacher, Alternate Designated 
Federal Officer, Office of Policy and Program Analysis, FEMA, [email protected], (202) 212-3026.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NAC is an advisory committee established 
in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act, 5 U.S.C. ch. 10. As required by the Post-Katrina Emergency 
Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA), the Secretary of Homeland 
Security established the NAC to ensure effective and ongoing 
coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, 
and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-
made disasters. Appointees may be designated as a Special Government 
Employee (SGE) as defined in section 202(a) of title 18, U.S.C., or as 
a Representative member. SGEs speak in a personal capacity as experts 
in their field and Representative members speak for the stakeholder 
group they represent.
    The Planning for Animal Wellness (PAW) Act, Public Law 117-212, was 
signed into law on October 17, 2022. The Act requires FEMA to create a 
working group to review best practices and Federal guidance, as of the 
date of

[[Page 46805]]

enactment of this Act, on congregate and non-congregate sheltering and 
evacuation planning, as it relates to the needs of household pets, 
service and assistance animals, and captive animals, as appropriate, in 
emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. It also 
requires FEMA to determine whether the existing best practices and 
Federal guidance are sufficient. If the Administrator, after reviewing 
the subcommittee's advice, determines that existing best practices and 
Federal guidance are insufficient, the Administrator will determine 
whether to publish new guidance, in consultation with the subcommittee. 
The subcommittee will also encourage and foster collaborative efforts 
among individuals and entities working to address the needs of 
household pets, service and assistance animals, and captive animals, as 
appropriate, in emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and 
recovery.
    To serve on this subcommittee, FEMA will select:
     At least two representatives of State governments with 
experience in animal emergency management;
     At least one Tribal Nation citizen or representative with 
experience in animal emergency management;
     At least one Territorial government representative with 
experience in animal emergency management;
     At least two representatives of local governments with 
experience in animal emergency management;
     At least two representatives from academia;
     At least two veterinary experts;
     At least two representatives from nonprofit organizations 
working to address the needs of household pets and service animals in 
emergencies or disasters;
     At least one representative from the Federal Animal 
Emergency Management Working Group; and
     Any other members that the Administrator deems 
appropriate, which could be based on specific experience not 
identified, or diverse perspectives.
    Members will not receive compensation for their service. Members 
may be required to file a confidential financial disclosure and 
complete ethics training provided by FEMA. FEMA is requesting that 
individuals who are interested in and qualified to serve on the 
subcommittee apply for appointment. Appointments will be for a one-year 
term, with the possibility of renewal, and will begin September 1, 
2023.
    To apply, please submit an application package to FEMA's Office of 
Policy and Program Analysis as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice. There is no application form, but each application package MUST 
include the following information:
     Cover letter, addressed to the Office of Policy and 
Program Analysis, that includes current position title and employer or 
organization you represent, home and work mailing addresses, preferred 
telephone number, and email address; the discipline area position(s) 
for which you would like consideration; and why you are interested in 
serving on the subcommittee.
     A summary of the most important accomplishments that 
qualify you to serve in the form of three to five (3-5) bullets, in 
fewer than 75 words total.
     Three (3) peer or supervisor references including full 
name, position title, employer or organization, preferred telephone 
number and email address. References must be able to attest to the 
qualifications and accomplishments you have listed.
     Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV).
    Your application package must be less than eight (8) total pages to 
be considered by FEMA. Information contained in your application 
package should clearly indicate your qualifications. FEMA will not 
consider incomplete applications. FEMA will review the information 
contained in application packages and make selections based on the 
requirements listed above, expertise in the subject matter area, and 
ability to meet membership expectations. FEMA will also consider 
overall composition, including diversity (including, but not limited to 
geographic, demographic, and experience) and mix of officials, 
emergency managers, and emergency response providers from State, local, 
Tribal, and Territorial governments, when selecting members.
    DHS does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, 
national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, 
political affiliation, disability and genetic information, age, 
membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. The 
Department is committed to pursuing opportunities, consistent with 
applicable law, to compose a subcommittee that reflects the diversity 
of the United States. Federally registered lobbyists may not apply.
    Expectations: Appointees to this volunteer service opportunity are 
expected to fully participate in meetings, work with fellow members as 
a team, and maintain a high degree of integrity. The NAC Bylaws contain 
more information and can be found at: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_nac-bylaws-041223.pdf. FEMA estimates a 
three (3) hour minimum time commitment per month for regular 
communications, special activities, and subcommittee participation. 
Some selected members will serve in leadership roles and participate in 
additional meetings and activities. Members may be invited to attend 
in-person meetings of the NAC up to twice per year, typically three (3) 
days for each meeting. FEMA does not pay members for their time, but 
may reimburse travel expenses such as airfare, lodging, meals, 
incidentals, and other transportation costs within Federal Travel 
Regulations when pre-approved by the Designated Federal Officer.

Deanne Criswell,
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2023-15409 Filed 7-19-23; 8:45 am]
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