Michael Méndez, third from left, is sworn in to serve on FEMA’s National Advisory Council.
Assistant professor tapped for Federal Emergency Management Agency post
Michael Méndez, assistant professor of urban planning and public policy, has been appointed to serve on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Advisory Council. He was sworn in with 13 other council members Feb. 13 by FEMA’s Administrator Deanne Criswell.
Council members advise Criswell on all aspects of emergency management, including preparedness, protection, response, recovery and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other manmade disasters.
“In particular,” Méndez said, “I will have the opportunity to extend nationally my work on climate-induced disasters and disproportionate impacts on communities, especially undocumented migrants and LGBTQ+ populations.”
“The National Advisory Council (NAC) is charged with making recommendations to improve FEMA’s programs and services. Having a Council that has a diversity of expertise and experiences ensures we’re serving disaster survivors and communities as effectively as possible,” Administrator Criswell said.