Patricia "Ann" Buckingham
Acting Assistant Administrator, National Continuity Programs Directorate
Ann Buckingham currently is the Acting Assistant Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) National Continuity Programs (NCP). Ann Buckingham previously was the Deputy Assistant Administrator of NCP.
As the lead agent for Federal Executive Branch continuity and contingency programs, NCP is responsible for guaranteeing the National Essential Function of the United States, "Ensuring the continued functioning of our form of government under the Constitution." She oversees the national implementation and development of continuity programs that will ensure that governments throughout the United States can continue to function during the largest of catastrophic events, to include hurricanes, earthquakes, and weapons of mass destruction. Her responsibilities include monitoring the status of federal government continuity capabilities through programs such as the newly developed Readiness Reporting System; and providing an assessment to the White House on the federal government's continuity capability through developing and leading exercises such as Eagle Horizon 08 that included over 54 Departments and Agencies and 12,048 non-military participants; and training over 135 controllers and 210 evaluators. Nationwide, NCP's continuity responsibilities include work with 28 Federal Executive Boards, 46 Federal Executive Associations, and 56 newly established working groups for all States and Territories. Per the Executive Order 13407: Public Alert and Warning System, Ms. Buckingham also provides oversight for the development and implementation of the new Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, a DHS Acquisition Category 1 program, which will provide all states and territories with an effective, reliable, integrated, flexible, and comprehensive system to alert and warn the American people in situations of war, terrorist attack, or other hazards to public safety and well being; and will ensure that the President can communicate with the American people under all conditions.
Before joining FEMA, Ms. Buckingham served in a variety of Homeland Security related areas supporting Homeland Defense programs for the Department of Defense. As the Director of Integrated Security Programs, Ms. Buckingham developed strategies and policies in a wide range of areas related to Homeland Security, including Enduring Constitutional Government, Continuity of Operations, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Non-lethal or Less than Lethal weapons development and countermeasures for these technologies, and use of Space assets in support of Combatant Commanders and Enduring Constitutional Government.
Ms. Buckingham's experience in National Security and Emergency Preparedness programs includes work with the Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop an International Drug Control strategy and supporting performance management system; the Office of the Manager, National Communications Systems to develop policy and operational guidance; and the White House Military Office and FEMA, where she developed documentation and procedures for Continuity of Operations and Continuity of Government activities.
Beginning her professional career as an Army Chemical Corps Officer, Ms. Buckingham has held several positions such as Special Assistant for Chemical Matters to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Office of the Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Atomic Energy; Training and Exercise Officer for the White House Military Office, Office on Presidential Contingency Programs; and as a Watch Officer in the President's Emergency Operations Center.
Ms. Buckingham earned a BS in Engineering from the United States Military Academy, and a MS in Management from National Louis University.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 02-Jun-2009 10:40:15 EDT