Staff Reports
Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis has been named to the Federal Emergency Management Agency‘s National Advisory Council, his office announced Tuesday.
The National Advisory Council is an “advisory committee established by federal law to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal emergency management activities,” a press release explained.
“As a fourth-generation Floridian, I know the importance of emergency preparedness and management to ensure the safety and success of all Floridians,” Patronis said in a statement. “I’m honored by this appointment and look forward to advising FEMA on important disaster response and recovery issues, especially financial and insurance matters.
“I will continue to advocate for measures aimed at streamlining the reimbursement process of federal assistance to communities impacted by disasters, a vital part of the recovery process,” he added.
“After seeing firsthand the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Michael, I know that building relationships with our federal partners in Washington is important to ensuring Florida is prepared to recover quickly from the next disaster that takes aim at the Sunshine State.”
“The Council provides advice to the FEMA Administrator through recommendations on all aspects of emergency management,” the release said. “For example, the Council has examined how to continue building financial preparedness, how to structure the Building Resilient Infrastructure in Communities program, as well as how to help close the insurance gap.”
Patronis was one of 15 appointments made to the Council by FEMA Acting Administrator Pete Gaynor.
The group consists of up to 35 members, including “a diverse cross-section of officials, emergency managers, and emergency responders from state, local, tribal and territorial governments and non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.”
“Our new members bring incredible expertise … not only do they have intimate knowledge of the historic 2017 and 2018 disaster seasons, but also in-depth subject knowledge on the whole community partnership to help people before, during and after disasters,” Gaynor said.
“I look forward to their input and guidance as we work together to make our nation more resilient to all hazards.”
