Recommendations and Responses

2016

Recommendations from the February 9-11, 2016 Meeting

The NAC met in Raleigh, North Carolina. Following discussion and deliberation the NAC passed 14 recommendations on issues including Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments; the National Flood Insurance Program; Active Shooters; Family Reunification; and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Tool Compliance and Disability Inclusion in Emergency Planning, Response, and Recovery. The NAC forwarded formal recommendations to the FEMA Administrator on February 19, 2016. Read the recommendation memo and FEMA's response.

Recommendations from the May 10-12, 2016 Meeting

The NAC meeting in Austin, Texas resulted in seven recommendations brought forward by the NAC on issues related to participation in the Community Rating System; Critical Infrastructure Resiliency; and Public Health Preparedness Education and Outreach. The NAC forwarded recommendations from the May 2016 meeting to the FEMA Administrator on June 2, 2016. Read the recommendation memo and FEMA's Response.

Recommendations from the September 13-15, 2016 Meeting

The NAC meeting in Arlington, Virginia resulted in 15 recommendations brought forward by the NAC on issues related to Insurance Adjuster Training and Certification; Federal Rapid Response in Medical Countermeasure Distribution; Lifesaving Techniques in Bystander and Community Emergency Response Team Materials; Integration of People with Disabilities; Communication with Regional and State Partners; and Spontaneous Volunteers. Read the recommendation memo.

2015

Recommendations from March 4-5, 2015 Meeting   

The NAC met in March 2015 in New Orleans, LA.  Through discussions and deliberations, the NAC concurred to submit 13 recommendations to the Administrator on the following topics: Training for the whole community, Addressing children’s needs in and immediately after a disaster, Consolidating research of mitigation best practices, Aligning and consolidating risk/vulnerability assessment tools, including Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments and the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment, Clarifying and leveraging mitigation funding opportunities, and Increasing coordination capabilities between Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, and Public Health. The recommendations were submitted to FEMA in a memo dated March 31, 2015, and the Agency responded on June 19, 2015.  Both memos can be viewed in their entirety here.

Recommendations from September 16-18, 2015 Meeting

The NAC met in September 2015 in Washington, DC. Through discussions and deliberations, the NAC concurred to submit 15 recommendations to the Administrator on the following topics:  National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Operations, Flood Mapping, Mitigation, Public Assistance Alternative Procedures (PAAP) Pilot Program, FEMA Communications with State/Local/Tribal Officials, Personnel Local Awareness, Policy Clarity During Damage Assessment Process, Recovery Training, Fatality Management Services, Tribal Government Participation in Emergency Management Preparedness Grant (EMPG) Program, and the Role/Responsibility of FEMA in Planning for and Responding to Cyberattacks.  Read the recommendation memo, and FEMA's responses.

Recommendations from March 19, 2014 Meeting   

The NAC met in March 2014 in Philadelphia, PA and through discussions and deliberations concurred to submit a recommendation on Regional Response and Recovery Capabilities and a recommendation on the Tracking and Storage of Mutual Aid Agreements. The recommendations were submitted to FEMA in a memo dated May 6, 2014, and the Agency responded on June 25, 2014. Both memos can be viewed in their entirety here.

Recommendations from September 17, 2014 Meeting

The NAC met in September 2014 in Los Angeles, CA and through discussions and deliberations concurred to submit recommendations related to collaboration with public works and non-profit organizations, translating lessons observed into lessons learned, and federal procurement education and outreach.  The recommendations were submitted to FEMA in a memo dated October 15, 2014.

Recommendations from December 3, 2013 NAC Teleconference

The NAC met by teleconference in December 2013 to discuss recommendations on the Implementation of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 and the Review and Revision of the NIMS. These recommendations were formally submitted to FEMA in a memo dated December 31, 2013. For a copy of the recommendations memo and a copy of FEMA’s response to these recommendations, please click here.

Recommendations from February 2012 National Advisory Council Meeting

The NAC met in public session in February 2012 in San Francisco, CA and concurred to forward recommendations on the following issues: Grant Proposals, Emergency Management Institute, National Response Framework, Metrics for Evaluating Public Preparedness, Response and Recovery, Public Assistance, Memorandums of Understanding, FEMA Strategic Thinking, Annual Strategic Report, Private Sector Engagement, and the National Mitigation Framework. For a copy of the recommendations memo and FEMA’s written response to these recommendations, please click here.

Recommendations from the July 12, 2012 NAC Meeting

The NAC met in a public session in July 2012 to review the progress of its four subcommittees since its meeting in February 2012 and deliberate potential recommendations set forth by the subcommittees. Through discussions and deliberations, the NAC concurred to forward recommendations on the following issues: the National Frameworks and Operational plans, THIRA and Grants Alignment, the Strategic Foresight Initiative, Tribal Disaster Declaration Policy, Memorandums of Understanding, the National Incident Management System, the FEMA Reservist Program, and the Emergency Management Institute. The NAC’s recommendations were formally submitted to FEMA in a memo dated August 21, 2012. For a copy of the recommendations and FEMA’s response to these recommendations, please click here.

Recommendations from the October 18, 2012 NAC Meeting

The NAC met in public session in October 2012 to review the progress of its four subcommittees since its meeting in July 2012 and deliberate potential recommendations set forth by the subcommittees. Through discussions and deliberations, the NAC concurred to forward recommendations on the following issues: National Flood Mapping Program, FEMA's Youth Preparedness Council, FEMA's Private Sector Division, Emergency Management Institute, and International Urban Search and Rescue Teams. The NAC formally submitted these recommendations in a memo dated December 14, 2012. For a copy of the recommendations memo and FEMA’s response to these recommendations, click here.

Recommendations on the National Exercise Program's General Objectives

The NAC met by teleconference in November 2012 to discuss the National Exercise Program (NEP) two-year cycle 2013-1014 and deliberate recommendations on the General Objectives for inclusion in the NEP two-year cycle. The NAC used the specific priorities from the Principal Objectives as guidelines to develop their recommendations for General Objectives. Through discussions and deliberations, the NAC concurred to forward recommendations on the NEP, which were formally submitted to FEMA in a memo dated November 26, 2012. For a copy of the recommendations memo and FEMA’s response to these recommendations, click here.

2011

Recommendations on the National Disaster Housing Task Force Practitioner’s Guide

The NAC provided feedback on the National Disaster Housing Task Force Practitioner’s Guide during a public teleconference in December 2010 and forwarded recommendations to the Administrator in a formal memo dated January 6, 2011. For a copy of FEMA’s response to these recommendations, click here.

National Advisory Council National Exercise Program Implementation Recommendations Report

The NAC responded to questions regarding FEMA’s implementation of the revised National Exercise Program in a report dated January 28, 2011. For a copy of FEMA’s response to the report, click here.

National Advisory Council National Response Framework Revisions Recommendations Report

The NAC provided recommendations to FEMA on the National Response Framework (NRF) revision process, which were documented in a report dated January 28, 2011. For a copy of FEMA’s response to the report, click here.

Recommendations from May 2011 National Advisory Council Meeting

In May 2011, the NAC met in public session in Los Angeles, CA. During this meeting, the NAC discussed the Public Assistance Bottom-Up Review, the NIMS Credentialing Guide, the Whole Community Catastrophic Planning, Risk Messaging, and the Emergency Management Training and Education System; and concurred to forward recommendations on these topics to the Administrator in a memo dated July 14, 2011. For a copy of FEMA’s response to these recommendations, click here.

Recommendations from September 2011 National Advisory Council Meeting

During the NAC meeting in September 2011 in Arlington, VA, the NAC concurred to forward recommendations on the National Preparedness System, the Public Assistance Program, the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program, and the Emergency Management Training and Education System to the Administrator, which were formally submitted in a memo dated December 10, 2011. For a copy of FEMA’s response to these recommendations, click here.

Recommendations on Presidential Policy Directive 8: National Preparedness

On September 14, 2011, the NAC met by public teleconference to discuss, deliberate, and make a decision regarding the draft recommendations from its Preparedness and Protection Subcommittee. The Preparedness and Protection Subcommittee was charged with reviewing FEMA's plan for the National Preparedness Goal, as directed by PPD-8, to provide FEMA validation of the approach and gaps in the plan. The NAC members concurred to forward comments and recommendations on the National Preparedness Goal to FEMA, which were formally submitted in a memo on September 15, 2011. For a copy of FEMA’s response to these recommendations, click here.

Recommendations on the National Disaster Recovery Framework

The NAC received updates on work that led to the draft of the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF), which included information about the opportunities for stakeholders to engage in the dialogue to determine what should be included in the NDRF through a series of regional video teleconferences (VTCs) and stakeholder forums. The NAC held a public teleconference on December 14, 2009 to receive an update on the NDRF and to discuss the stakeholder engagement process. The NAC discussed, deliberated, and provided initial feedback on the questions that had been asked at the stakeholder forums in previous months. In February 2010, the NAC met in a public session in Washington, DC to discuss the NDRF and developed recommendations and comments for FEMA’s consideration, which were forwarded to FEMA in a memo dated March 3, 2010. For a copy of FEMA’s written response, please click here.

Recommendation on Tribal Governments

During the NAC’s public meeting in August 2010, the NAC discussed and voted unanimously to forward recommendations from the NAC Response and Recovery Subcommittee regarding  tribal governments and disaster assistance. The recommendations were formally submitted to the Agency in a memo on September 17, 2010. The Agency’s formal response to these recommendations can be viewed here.

Recommendations on the Revised National Exercise Program

On November 10, 2010, the NAC convened a public teleconference, during which the NAC Preparedness and Protection Subcommittee provided recommendations on the National Exercise Program. The NAC voted unanimously to forward recommendations to the Administrator in a memo dated November 10, 2010. For a copy of FEMA’s response to these recommendations, click here.

Recommendations on the Emergency Operations Center's role in NIMS

At the July 2009 NAC meeting, the NAC NIMS Subcommittee discussed and provided recommendations on the need to explain the Emergency Operations Center's role in NIMS. The NAC voted unanimously to forward the recommendations to the Administrator, which were submitted to FEMA in a memo dated August 11, 2009. For a copy of FEMA’s response to the recommendation, click here.

Recommendation Regarding the Review of FEMA Documents

The NAC believes that its recommendations are most effective when it is able to review and provide guidance on draft documents during early stages of development and prior to a potential public comment period. Ideally, the NAC and its subcommittees would be fully incorporated into all stages of a document's review or development. This was discussed at the April 2009 NAC meeting and formally submitted to FEMA in a memo dated April 29, 2009. For a copy of FEMA’s response, click here.

National Disaster Housing

The NAC submitted recommendations related to National Disaster Housing on three separate occasions in 2009.

During the December 2008 NAC meeting in Dallas, TX, the NAC formalized recommendations on wrap-around services to be provided in conjunction with post-disaster housing. These recommendations were formally submitted to FEMA in a memo dated January 12, 2009. For a copy of FEMA’s response, click here.

At the April 2009 NAC meeting in Washington, DC, the NAC formalized an additional recommendation on FEMA’s review and support for Disaster Housing legislation, which was submitted to FEMA in a memo on April 28, 2009. For a copy of FEMA’s response to the recommendation, click here.

At the July 2009 NAC meeting in Grand Forks, ND, the NAC recommended that five elements be included in the National Disaster Housing Concept of Operations. This was submitted to FEMA in a formal memo dated August 27, 2009. For a copy of FEMA’s response, click here.

National Disaster Recovery Framework

In December 2009, the NAC provided feedback on four questions related to the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) during a public conference call. The questions were as follows:

1. How would you define successful disaster recovery?

2. What are the appropriate state, local, and tribal roles in leading disaster recovery efforts?

3. How can federal, state, and local disaster planning and recovery processes and programs best be coordinated?

4. What else would you like FEMA to know?

The NAC formally submitted its feedback to the questions in a memo dated December 16, 2009. For a copy of the memo and FEMA’s response, click here.

National Response Framework

The NAC provided FEMA with guidance statements, recommendations, and specific requests in reference to the National Response Framework (NRF) that were discussed and approved at the December 2008 NAC meeting in Dallas, TX. The NAC formally submitted recommendations and specific requests related to the NRF in a memo dated January 21, 2009. For a copy of FEMA’s response, click here.

At the July 2009 NAC meeting in Grand Forks, ND, the NAC discussed recommendations on the nature of the NRF as a document and how that may impact work on the NRF Partner Guides. Additionally, the NAC discussed recommendations on the NRF Review and Revision process outline document. Three recommendations on the NRF were submitted to FEMA in a memo on August 17, 2009. For a copy of FEMA’s response, click here.

Recommendations on Public Private Partnerships

The NAC reviewed partnerships between public and private entities and obtained input from external stakeholders. During the December 2008 NAC meeting, the Public-Private Partnerships Subcommittee presented recommendations to the NAC, which were unanimously approved for submission to the Administrator. These recommendations were formally submitted in a memo dated January 9, 2009. For a copy of FEMA’s response, click here.

During the July 2009 NAC meeting in Grand Forks, ND, the NAC unanimously approved to forward additional recommendations on public-private partnerships, which were formally submitted to FEMA in a memo dated August 11, 2009. For a copy of FEMA’s response, click here.

Recommendations Related to Special Needs

During the July 2009 NAC meeting in Grand Forks, ND, the NAC discussed and approved recommendations related to special needs, which were formally submitted to FEMA in a memo dated August 11, 2009. The recommendations specifically discussed funding for the Regional Disability Coordinator positions and Hazard Mitigation Assistance for Safe Rooms. For a copy of FEMA’s response, click here.

Recommendations on the Stafford Act and Related Federal Policies: Public Assistance and Individual Assistance Issues

In July 2008 and December 2008, the NAC provided recommendations to FEMA on public assistance and individual assistance issues. At the July 2009 NAC meeting in Grand Forks, ND, the NAC discussed recommendations on statutory changes related to public assistance, individual assistance, mitigation, and a general issue. The NAC forwarded these recommendations to the Administrator in a memo dated August 24, 2009. For a copy of FEMA’s response, click here.

Formation of the NAC Target Capabilities List Subcommittee

The NAC Target Capabilities List (TCL) Working Group reviewed the TCL User Guide and the following Target Capabilities: Incident Command Capability; Multi-Agency Coordination Capability; WMD-HazMat Capability; and Mass Transit Capability. At the July 2009 NAC meeting in Grand Forks, ND, the NAC decided to formalize the working group as a TCL subcommittee. This information was shared with FEMA in a memo dated August 24, 2009. For a copy of FEMA’s response, click here.

Recommendations on Urban Search and Rescue

At the April 2009 NAC meeting in Washington DC, the NAC discussed, deliberated, and agreed to forward recommendations on urban search and rescue to FEMA, which were forwarded to FEMA in a memo dated April 24, 2009. For a copy of the response, click here.

2008