FEMA just announces new National Advisory Council Members

By: Tosimaeʻa Tupua

Email: tupua@opi.as.gov

American Samoa’s very own Tafaimamao Tua Tupuola has been nominated as one of the 16 members of the National Advisory Council. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced today. Ms. Tafaimamao “Tafa” Tua-Tupuola, is the State Director for the American Samoa University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the American Samoa Community College.

For the first time in the council’s history, a Tribal representative was appointed as council chair Mr. Jeff Hansen, Director of Community Safety for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The National Advisory Council advises the FEMA administrator on all aspects of emergency management, including preparedness, protection, response, recovery and mitigation for disasters and national emergencies.

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. Of the 19 members selected, 16 are new appointments. Congratulations Tafa!