2023 Charter

National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disasters

The National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disaster (NACSD) is required by section 2811B of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. § 300hh-10c), as amended by the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (PAHPAIA), Public Law No. 116-22. The NACSD is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), Public Law 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.).

The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) is responsible for a wide range of activities that include monitoring for emerging issues and concerns as they relate to medical and public health preparedness and response; developing, overseeing, and providing guidance for implementation of national preparedness goals for disasters of all types at the federal, state and local levels; identifying, conducting responses to, and recovery from public health and medical emergencies; assisting other federal agencies responsible for aspects of planning for, responding to, and recovering from public health emergencies; and senior citizens who have access or functional needs in the event of a public health emergency, as determined by the Secretary. The NACSD shall provide advice and consultation to the Secretary of HHS and, per Secretarial delegation of authority, to the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response  (ASPR) to assist them in carrying out these and related activities as they pertain to the unique needs of seniors in preparation for, responses to, and recovery from all-hazards emergencies and disasters.

The NACSD shall evaluate issues and programs and provide findings, advice, and recommendation to the Secretary of HHS and the ASPR, in accordance with FACA, to support and enhance all- hazards public health and medical preparedness, response activities, and recovery aimed at meeting the unique needs of seniors. The NACSD shall (1) provide advice and consultation with respect to the activities carried out regarding at risk individuals pursuant to section 2814 of the PHS Act, as applicable and appropriate; (2) evaluate and provide input with respect to the medical and public health needs of seniors related to preparation for, response to, and recovery from all-hazards emergencies; and (3) provide advice and consultation with respect to State emergency preparedness and response activities relating to seniors, including related drills and exercises pursuant to the preparedness goals under the National Health Security Strategy authorized under section 2802(b) of the PHS Act. The NACSD may provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary and the ASPR with respect to seniors and the medical and public health grants and cooperative agreements as applicable to preparedness and response activities under Title XXVIII and title III of the PHS Act.

The NACSD will primarily, though not exclusively:

1. Monitor for and provide advice regarding emerging policy, scientific, technical, or operational issues and concerns related to medical and public health preparedness, response, and recovery in the event of a public health emergency declared by the Secretary of HHS;
2. Evaluate and provide advice on implementation of the preparedness goals described in the National Health Security Strategy as they apply to seniors;
3. Monitor and make recommendations to improve HHS assistance to other Departments in planning for, responding to, and recovering from public health emergencies with respect to the effects on seniors and their families;
4. Make recommendations to ensure that the contents of the Strategic National Stockpile take into account the unique needs of seniors;
5. Make recommendations regarding curriculum development for public health and medical response training for medical management of casualties among seniors;
6. Monitor and provide advice regarding novel and best practices of outreach to, and care of, seniors before, during, and following public health emergencies;
7. Monitor and make recommendations to ensure that public health and medical information distributed by HHS during a public health emergency is delivered in a manner that takes into account the range of communication needs of seniors and their families or guardians;
8. Provide advice for coordination of systems for situational awareness and biosurveillance that require incorporation of data and information from Federal, State, local, Tribal, and Territorial public health officials and relevant entities to identify health threats to seniors and families.
9. Evaluate and provide inputs with respect to the medical, mental and behavioral, and public health needs of seniors as they relate to preparation for, response to, and recovery from all-hazards emergencies;
10. Provide advice and consultation with respect to seniors and State, Tribal, and Territorial emergency preparedness and response activities, including related drills and exercises pursuant to the preparedness goals in the National Health Security Strategy; and,
11. Provide advice and recommendations with respect to seniors and the medical and public health grants and cooperative agreements as applicable to preparedness and response activities authorized under the Public Health Service Act, as amended.

The NACSD shall provide advice and recommendations to the HHS Secretary and the ASPR. 

ASPR shall provide management and administrative oversight to support the activities of the NACSD, including designation of a Designated Federal Officer (DFO).

The ASPR will designate a full-time regular government employee to serve as the DFO to attend each NACSD meeting and ensure that all procedures are within applicable statutory, regulatory, and HHS General Administrative Manual directives. The DFO shall approve and prepare NACSD and subcommittee meeting agendas and shall be present at all meetings. If needed, the ASPR or the DFO may designate another regular government employee to serve as the DFO for simultaneous subcommittee meetings or when the DFO cannot be available. The DFO shall adjourn any meeting when he/she determines adjournment is in the public interest; and chair meetings when directed to do so by the Secretary.

The NACSD shall meet not less than biannually, including at least once per year in person, and may convene more often as needed when requested by the DFO. Notice of all public meetings will be given to the public. All meetings shall be conducted and records of proceedings kept as required by applicable laws and regulations.

Continuing until termination on September 30, 2023. 

The charter will expire two years from the filing date, if not renewed.  The NACSD shall terminate on September 30, 2023 unless extended by statute. 

1. At least two non-federal health care professionals with expertise in geriatric medical disaster planning, preparedness, response, or recovery; and
2. At least two representatives from State, local, Tribal, or territorial agencies with expertise in geriatric disaster planning, preparedness, response, or recovery.

The NACSD shall also have up to 10 federal, non-voting members (ex officio), including the following officials or their designees:

1. The Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response;
2. The Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority;
3. The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
4. The Commissioner of Food and Drugs;
5. The Director of the National Institutes of Health;
6. The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;
7. The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living;
8. The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
9. The Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
10. Representatives of such other Federal agencies (such as the Department of Energy and the Department of Homeland Security) as the Secretary determines necessary to fulfill the duties of the Advisory Committee.

A voting member of the NACSD shall serve for a term of three years, except that the Secretary may adjust the terms of appointees who are initially appointed after the date of enacted of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019 (June 24, 2019) in order to provide for a staggered term of appointment for all members. A voting member may serve not more than three terms on the NACSD, and not more than two of such terms may be served consecutively. Voting members shall not be full-time or permanent part-time federal employees but shall be appointed by the Secretary as Special Government Employees (5 U.S.C.§ 3109). A member may serve after the expiration of his/her term until a successor has been appointed. Vacancies will be filled as members rotate out or resign using the same procedures as the initial selection process.

A quorum for the NACSD shall consist of a majority of the appointed voting members. Of the voting members, any who are disqualified from participating in an action on a particular issue shall not count toward the quorum.

The Secretary or the ASPR may establish subcommittees and working groups to assist the NACSD on topics within its purview. Such subcommittees and working groups shall report directly to the NACSD and their findings and recommendations must be deliberated by the NACSD in a public meeting unless otherwise exempted according to legislation. Subcommittees and working groups shall not report directly to the Secretary or the ASPR. Subcommittee membership may be drawn in whole or in part from the NACSD but must include at least one of the designated voting members. The Department Committee Management Officer will be notified upon establishment of each subcommittee and will be provided information on its name, membership, function, and estimated frequency of meetings.

Records of the NACSD, established subcommittees, or other subgroups of the advisory committee shall be managed in accordance with General Records Schedule 6.2, Federal Advisory Committee Records or other approved agency records disposition schedule.  These records shall be available for public inspection and copying, subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.