WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened the application period for positions on the National Advisory Council (NAC).

The NAC, which is comprised of emergency management professionals, meets quarterly to discuss, deliberate, and make recommendations on FEMA plans and strategies. FEMA is seeking to fill 12 positions on the council this year as some members’ terms end on June 15. The positions will be for a term of three years.

Specific areas of focus for the positions include Emergency Management, Public Health, Emergency Medical Provider, Standard Settings, Disability, Access and Functional Needs, State Non-Elected Official and Tribal Non-Elected Official. New or reappointed members would serve from June 15, 2010 to June 15, 2013.

The National Advisory Council was set into motion by the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. The membership of the NAC may consist of up to 35 members appointed by and serving at the discretion of the FEMA administrator. Since its inception, the council has made recommendations to the FEMA administrator on the National Response Framework, the National Incident Management System, the Stafford Act, the National Disaster Housing Strategy and disability and private sector issues.

Individuals seeking to be considered for an appointment to the council should submit a resume or curriculum vitae detailing their experience in the arena of emergency management or related field, state which discipline area or areas they are applying, and provide letters of recommendation. Applications may be submitted to FEMA-NAC@dhs.gov and must be received on or before 5:00 pm EST on Friday, March 5, 2010, in order to be considered. Please include your contact information on all correspondence.

For detailed information on how to apply visit: http://www.fema.gov/about/nac/. Also, a complete list of current FEMA National Advisory Council members is available on the FEMA website.