The NAC is currently seeking applications to support the IPAWS Subcommittee. Please see “Membership Application Instructions” below for application details. The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) is a modernization and integration of the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure. Federal, state, local, tribal and territorial alerting authorities use IPAWS as a way to alert and warn the public about serious emergencies using the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and other public alerting systems from a single interface.
Background
On April 11, 2016, the President signed into law the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Modernization Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-143). Public Law 114-143 amends Title V of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The law requires FEMA to establish a NAC IPAWS Subcommittee with the goal of ensuring that IPAWS:
- Incorporates multiple communications technologies;
- Adapts to and incorporates future technologies for communicating directly with the public;
- Provides alerts to the largest portion of the affected population, including nonresident visitors and tourists, individuals with disabilities, individuals with access and functional needs, and individuals with limited English proficiency, and improves the ability of remote areas to receive alerts;
- Enhances community preparedness and response through local and regional public and private partnerships;
- Reaches the greatest number of people through redundant alert mechanisms; and
- Protects individual privacy.
The NAC IPAWS Subcommittee is required to submit a report to the NAC that contains recommendations to ensure IPAWS provides timely and effective warnings in the event of natural disaster, acts of terrorism, and other manmade acts or threats to public safety. The FEMA Administrator will make available on FEMA’s website and submit to Congress a report of approved recommendations no later than April 2017, and annually thereafter through 2018.
Membership
The Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will chair the NAC IPAWS Subcommittee. Members will include senior Federal leaders and representatives from the following communities, disciplines, and/or organizations:
- State and local governments, emergency management agencies, emergency response providers;
- Federally recognized Indian tribes and national Indian organizations;
- Those with technical knowledge and expertise representing:
- Communications service providers;
- Vendors, developers, and manufacturers of systems, facilities, equipment, and/or capabilities for the provision of communications services;
- Third-party service bureaus;
- The broadcasting industry (to include public broadcasting);
- The commercial mobile radio service industry;
- The cable industry;
- The satellite industry;
- National organizations representing individuals with disabilities; blind, deaf, and hearing loss communities; individuals with access and functional needs; and the elderly;
- Consumer or privacy advocates; and
- Organizations representing individuals with Limited English Proficiency.
Membership Application Instructions
Application Package
If you are interested, qualified, and want to be considered for appointment to the subcommittee, please submit an application package to the Office of the NAC as listed in the Addresses section below. Each application package MUST include the following information and be submitted by October 6, 2016 at 11:59 p.m.:
- Cover letter, addressed to the Office of the NAC, that indicates why you are interested in serving on the IPAWS Subcommittee and includes the following information:
- The discipline areas(s) being applied for (as listed in the membership section above) in order of preference if listing more than one discipline;
- Current position title and organization;
- Home and work addresses; and
- Current telephone number and email address.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV), which clearly indicates your qualifications to represent the discipline area(s) indicated in your cover letter.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Each application will be reviewed based on 1) relevant expertise in the appropriate field, and 2) understanding of public alerts that encompasses the following:
- Knowledge of public emergency messaging and alert warning functions with respect to the community
- Ability to provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations on critical program issues requiring new approaches, establishment of precedents, or the interpretation of controversial law, regulation, or past practice
- Ability to (or demonstrated capability/aptitude, etc.) recommend how alerts can promote local and regional public and private partnerships to enhance community preparedness and response
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Ability to (or demonstrated capability/aptitude, etc.) advise on disseminating timely and effective alerts to the largest portion of the affected population feasible, and meet the diverse needs of the public including individuals with: disabilities; access and functional needs; with limited-English proficiency; and those who are nonresident visitors and tourists
Dates
Applications will be accepted until October 6, 2016 at 11:59 p.m.
Addresses
The preferred method of submission for application packages is via email, but application packages may also be submitted by fax or U.S. mail. Please submit by only ONE of the following methods:
- E-mail: FEMA-NAC@fema.dhs.gov. Please include “IPAWS Subcommittee Application” on the subject line of the email. Please save materials as one document using the naming convention, “LAST NAME_FIRST NAME”, and attach to the email.
- Fax: (540) 504-2331
- U.S. Mail: Office of the National Advisory Council, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 8th Floor, 500 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472-3184
Supplementary Information
The Administrator may appoint up to four additional candidates to serve as FEMA Administrator Selections. The appointment term will end upon the termination of the IPAWS Subcommittee in April 2019.
Appointees may be designated as a Special Government Employee (SGE) as defined in section 202(a) of title 18, United States Code, or as a Representative member. Candidates selected for appointment as SGEs are required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form (Office of Government Ethics Form 450) each year. This form can be obtained by visiting the website of the Office of Government Ethics (http://www.oge.gov). However, please do not submit this form with your application.
The IPAWS Subcommittee will meet approximately four times a year, two in person and two via webinar. Members may be reimbursed for travel expenses and per diem. All travel for IPAWS Subcommittee business must be approved in advance by the Designated Federal Officer.
The Department of Homeland Security does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. DHS strives to achieve a widely diverse candidate pool for all of its recruitment actions. Current DHS and FEMA employees, FEMA Reservists, and DHS and FEMA contractors and potential contractors, will not be considered for membership. Federally registered lobbyists may apply for positions designated as Representative appointments but are not eligible for positions that are designated as SGE appointments.
Further Contact and Information:
Deana Platt, Designated Federal Officer
Office of the National Advisory Council
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20472-3184
telephone (202) 646-2700
fax (540) 504-2331
e-mail FEMA-NAC@fema.dhs.gov
For more information on the NAC, visit http://www.fema.gov/national-advisory-council.