For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today applauded President Obama’s intent to nominate Elizabeth M. Harman as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistant Administrator for the Grant Programs Directorate (GPD).
“DHS strengthens the preparedness and resilience of communities across the country through our grant programs,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Elizabeth’s years of experience in emergency management and program administration will help the Department maximize every security dollar to protect our nation.”
As Assistant Administrator, Harman will oversee the management of more than 50 grant and financial assistance programs representing approximately $4 billion in non-disaster grant funding annually. She will work to ensure the grants process is transparent, collaborative and consistent with the Department’s major responsibilities and priorities.
Biography
Harman currently serves as director of the Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction (HazMat/WMD) Training Department at the International Association of Fire Fighters—managing millions in federal funding to support the largest HazMat/WMD training program of fire fighters in North America.
Harman previously held various posts within the emergency management community including positions in administration, exercise and evaluation, and taught at Northwestern State University, the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute at the University of Maryland and George Washington University. Previously Harman served as a fire fighter and paramedic in Fairfax City, Va.
Harman holds a master’s degree in emergency health services from the University of Maryland and a master’s in business administration from California Pacific University.
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