[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 138 (Thursday, July 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46803-46804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15410]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID: FEMA-2023-0018]


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 (NAC).

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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) to provide advice regarding 
Preliminary Damage Assessments, apply for appointment as identified in 
this notice. 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. ET 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: Manuel Barrios, Alternate Designated Federal 
Officer, Recovery Directorate, Office of Response and Recovery, FEMA, 
[email protected].
     Save materials in one file using the naming convention, 
``[Last Name]_[First Name]_PDA Application'' and attach to the email.
    FEMA will send applicants 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: Manuel Barrios, Alternate Designated 
Federal Officer, Recovery Directorate, Office of Response and Recovery, 
FEMA, (202) 212-3026, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NAC is an advisory committee established 
in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(FACA), 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 Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA), National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, Public Law 117-263, Sec. 5603, 
was signed into law on Dec. 23, 2022. The Act requires FEMA to convene 
an advisory panel consisting of emergency management personnel employed 
by State, local, Territorial, or Tribal authorities, and the 
representative organizations of such personnel, to assist the agency in 
improving critical components of the preliminary damage assessment 
process. This advisory panel will consider: (1) establishing a training 
regime to ensure preliminary damage assessments are conducted and 
reviewed under consistent guidelines; (2) utilizing a common 
technological platform to integrate data collected by state and local 
governments with data collected by the agency; and (3) assessing 
instruction materials provided by the agency for omissions of pertinent 
information or language that conflicts with other statutory 
requirements. The advisory panel will also identify opportunities for 
streamlining the consideration of preliminary damage assessments by the 
agency, including eliminating duplicative paperwork requirements and 
ensuring consistent communication and decision making among agency 
staff.
    To serve on this advisory panel, FEMA will select:
    (1) At least one representative from each of the ten (10) FEMA 
Regions

[[Page 46804]]

selected from emergency management personnel employed by State, local, 
Tribal, or Territorial authorities within each region.
    (2) At least two representatives from national emergency management 
organizations.
    (3) Such other members as the Administrator shall deem appropriate.
    To the furthest extent practicable, representation on the advisory 
panel shall include emergency management personnel from both urban and 
rural jurisdictions. 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 advisory panel apply for appointment. 
Appointments will be for a one-year term, with the possibility of 
renewal, which will begin Sept. 1, 2023.
    To apply, please submit an application package to Manuel Barrios 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 Response and 
Recovery, 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 PDA Advisory Panel.
     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 is committed to pursuing opportunities, consistent with 
applicable law, to compose a panel that reflects the diversity of the 
United States. 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. DHS strives to achieve a widely diverse candidate pool 
for all its recruitment actions. 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 
four (4) 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. 2023-15410 Filed 7-19-23; 8:45 am]
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