FEMA appoints Oregon Emergency Management Director Andrew Phelps to National Advisory Council
SALEM, Ore. – Nov. 2, 2022 – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell has appointed Oregon Emergency Management Director Andrew Phelps to the agency’s National Advisory Council. Phelps joins 15 other new appointees, all of whom will begin a three-year term on Dec. 1. The council is made up of up to 35 members.
“It’s such an honor to receive this appointment from Administrator Criswell to serve on the National Advisory Council,” said Phelps. “I’m humbled and excited to bring Oregon’s perspective and values to the council, use the Oregon experience to inform the national dialogue, and work with my fellow council members and those we serve to help shape the future of emergency management.”
The National Advisory Council advises the FEMA administrator on all aspects of emergency management, including preparedness, protection, response, recovery and mitigation for disasters and national emergencies. Council members represent a substantive cross-section of officials, emergency managers and emergency response providers from state, local, tribal and territorial governments, the private sector and nongovernmental organizations.
“The National Advisory Council brings together diverse voices and viewpoints to help us better identify and address the emergency management challenges facing FEMA and our nation,” said Criswell. “Additionally, beginning in 2023, the size of the council will grow from 35 to 40 members, including positions designated on climate change. These new positions will allow FEMA to be better informed as we carry out our mission of helping people before, during and after disasters.”
For the first time in the council’s history, a tribal representative was appointed as council chair. Director of Community Safety for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Jeff Hansen, who’s served as the vice chair of the council for four years, will replace outgoing Chair W. Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
Since its creation in 2006, the National Advisory Council has provided nearly 400 recommendations to FEMA on a variety of key emergency management topics. For the 2021 cycle, the NAC was charged with examining how to expedite disaster assistance for communities; the creation of an equity standard to evaluate FEMA program outcomes; and the development of an implementation plan for the future vision of FEMA in 2045.
For additional information on the National Advisory Council, visit FEMA.gov.
# # #
You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille, or a format you prefer. For assistance, email oem_publicinfo@oem.oregon.gov. We accept all relay calls, or you can dial 711.
Attachments
