An American Samoan now sits on the National Advisory Council of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.
Tafaimamao “Tafa” Tua-Tupuola, State Director for the American Samoa University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), at the American Samoa Community College, is the first representative from the territory to be appointed a council member.
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 non-governmental organizations.
Ms. Tupuola was among 16 new council members whose appointments were announced yesterday, by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.
“I’m grateful and excited for the appointment to serve on the FEMA National Advisory Council. I am looking forward to learning more and contributing to the experience, as a pacific islander and [for] our disability community,” she told KHJ News.
FEMA Administrator Criswell said, “For the first time in the council’s history, a Tribal representative was appointed as council chair. He is, Mr. Jeff Hansen, Director of Community Safety for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Hansen served as the vice chair of the council for four years.”
Beginning in 2023, the size of the council will grow from 35 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,” said the FEMA administrator.
