10 July 2008

FEMA ADMINISTRATOR APPOINTS CITY MANAGER TO ADVISORY COUNCIL

(Palm Bay)—The City of Palm Bay now plays a key role in shaping emergency response and assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). City Manager Lee Feldman has been appointed to a three-year term on FEMA’S National Advisory Council (NAC) which provides advice, analysis and assistance in all aspects of preparedness and emergency management. The appointment highlights the City’s ability to work jointly with FEMA and its partners around the country. “We know from experience how devastating natural disasters can be,” Feldman said. “It is critical that local to national relationships be as transparent to the public as possible in order to provide effective disaster assistance and recovery”

The NAC was established under the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. Members are appointed by the FEMA administrator and represent a geographic and significant cross section of officials from emergency management and law enforcement and emergency response providers from all levels of government. “NAC members contribute their wide range of knowledge and expertise to helping make their neighbors, communities and our entire nation stronger and better prepared to respond to any disaster," said FEMA Administrator David Paulison. "FEMA has already benefited from their input. I look forward to working with its new members and wish to thank the departing members for their service."

The City of Palm Bay was recently highlighted with national media coverage in regards to how it successfully obtained reimbursement from FEMA following the hurricanes of 2004. The City is currently working with the agency and others to coordinate assistance to victims of the Mothers Day wildfires. In its first full year, the NAC has provided input to FEMA on the National Response Framework (NRF), FEMA’s Strategic Plan and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

For more information, Contact Yvonne Martinez, Public Information Coordinator at Cell: 321-426-5194 or Office: 321-952-3456 ext 4678