EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Executive Summary, submitted pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), contains a summary of the activities that took place during the National Advisory Council (NAC) teleconference on June 18, 2008. The complete transcript may be requested at FEMA-NAC@dhs.gov. 

Meeting Summary

The National Advisory Council (NAC) teleconference convened at 1:00 pm (EDT) on June 18, 2008. 

NAC Members Present: 
Dr. Robert Gougelet, Vice Chair 
David Barron
Joe Becker
Joe Bruno
Stephen Cassidy
Christina Catlett
Robert Connors
Russell Decker
John Didion
Nancy Dragani
Cathey Eide
Angelia Elgin
Lee Feldman
Joanne Hayes-White
John Hines
Chuck Kmet
Kurt Krumperman
John Lancaster
John Libby
Sue Mencer
Kenneth Miller
Ken Murphy
Albert Najera
James Paturas
Susanne Torriente
J.R. Thomas
Phil Reitinger
John Didion
John Stensgar

DHS/FEMA Staff in Attendance: 
Bob Shea, Associate Deputy Administrator
Alyson Price, Designated Federal Official




Meeting:
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 pm by Alyson Price, Designated Federal Official.

The meeting was opened and presided over by Dr. Robert Gougelet, NAC  Vice Chair.

Co-Chair Remarks
•	Reminder that a quorum (18 members) must be present in order for the Council to vote on issues.

Council Discussion
•	Stafford Act Subcommittee Update (presented by Nancy Dragani)
o	There were a significant number of additional recommendations and submissions from external sources.
o	After some review by the Chair and FEMA leadership, rather than looking at individual recommendations, the Subcommittee will look at issue areas, focusing on policy and regulation.
•	Post Disaster Housing Subcommittee Update (presented by Joe Becker)
o	The timeline with FEMA on the housing strategy is shifting – could possibly take weeks.  
o	The housing plan previously released is a high-level directional document.
o	Legislative language won’t be required; it will be more of a business practice issue than a legislative language issue. 
?	NAC Chair has been asked to withdraw the request for that language, at least until clarification is provided when the strategy comes out.
•	NIMS Revision Document Discussion (presented by Russ Decker)
o	NIMS subcommittee received 209 recommendations, which were assembled into a spreadsheet for dissemination and discussion. 
o	All recommendations will be forwarded to FEMA for consideration, but four areas were identified and listed as areas of emphasis:
?	Connection between NIMS document and National Response Framework;
?	“Musts” and “shalls” in document;
?	Lack of information with regards to medical partners; and
?	Reference to the Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT).
o	Lengthy discussion of approaches and options followed, with the general agreement to keep all options open.
o	It was recommended that a fifth recommendation be made, regarding establishment of a Unified Operations Section at the discretion (providing the option as opposed to prescribing a requirement) of the local jurisdiction, for events with multiple agencies providing technical operations simultaneously.  
o	Dr. Gougelet called for a roll-call vote – conducted by Alyson Price
?	Approval of the recommendations was unanimous.
?	The DFO was to provide the final document to the council again for quick turnaround and final approval before submitting to the Chair.

Next Meeting 
•	August 13-14, 2008 in Washington, DC.

			
The meeting was adjourned at 1:57 pm (EDT) by Alyson Price, DFO.
	
 

I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the foregoing minutes are accurate and complete.


___________________________
Dr. Robert Gougelet
Vice Chair
National Advisory Counci