As you hear us say frequently, FEMA is just part of the team, a team that encompasses the whole community, including partners, from state, local, and tribal governments to non-governmental organizations, to the private sector and voluntary groups. 

A key member of that team is the National Advisory Council. The NAC is comprised of members from state, tribal and local governments, private sector, and non-governmental partners who advise and provide recommendations to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on all aspects of emergency management.

This month, the NAC held their quarterly meeting and reviewed the progress and recommendations of its four subcommittees: Preparedness and Protection, Response and Recovery, Public Engagement and Mission Support, and Federal Insurance and Mitigation. They also met with FEMA leadership to receive briefings on current initiatives.

Administrator Fugate and Deputy Administrator Richard Serino briefed the NAC during the public portion of the meeting, highlighting their top priorities and answering questions. Some of the topics discussed by both FEMA leadership and the NAC included:

• The National Planning Frameworks as outlined in Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD-8) on National Preparedness
• The Public Assistance Bottom-Up Review, Emergency Management Performance Grant Program
• Whole Community within Strategic Foresight Initiative, Youth Preparedness Strategic Framework
• FEMA Workforce Transformation Initiative
• National Flood Insurance Program
• Support of Tribal Legislation

Administrator Fugate emphasized how important it is for the NAC to continue providing solid recommendations about how national emergency management should be improved and considered.

Following every quarterly meeting, the NAC provides formal recommendations on current FEMA programs and initiatives. FEMA looks forward to receiving those recommendations and continuing our successful relationship with the Council.