Berginnis Appointed to FEMA’s National Advisory Council

ASFPM Executive Director Chad Berginnis has been appointed to FEMA’s National Advisory Council. The three-year term begins December 1, 2022. NAC advises the FEMA administrator on all aspects of emergency management, including preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation for disasters and national emergencies.

 “The National Advisory Council brings together diverse voices and viewpoints to help us better identify and address the emergency management challenges facing FEMA and our nation,” Administrator Deanne Criswell said in announcing the new slate of appointees. 

NAC will be chaired by Jeff Hansen, director of community safety for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. It is the first time in the council’s history that a Tribal representative was appointed as council chair. Hansen served as vice chair of the council for the past four years. 

“I am honored to be selected to serve on the council and look forward to working with Chair Hansen and other NAC members in advising FEMA Administrator Criswell and bringing the practitioner perspective from state and local officials as well as the private sector who work every day to implement many of FEMA’s programs,” said Berginnis “I am also excited because so many programs that we work with, like the NFIP and FEMA’s hazard mitigation programs, are at an inflection point and I hope to be able to share insights on where these important programs might need to go next.” 

The NAC currently consists of up to 35 members, all of whom are experts in their respective fields. Council members represent a substantive cross-section of officials, emergency managers, and emergency response providers from state, local, tribal and territorial governments, the private sector and nongovernmental organizations. Since its creation in 2006, the council has provided nearly 400 recommendations to FEMA on a variety of key emergency management topics.

Beginning in 2023, the size of NAC will increase to 40 members, including positions designated on climate change. “These new positions will allow FEMA to be better informed as we carry out our mission of helping people before, during and after disasters,” Criswell said.

The NAC conducts business through several monthly virtual meetings and two in-person meetings each year.

ASFPM Director Emeritus Larry Larson served a three-year term on the council under former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate from 2010-2013.

See the FEMA press release for the full list of new appointees.