The SBA Conducts Exercise to Improve Agency Disaster Response

Source: U.S. SBA Release d. Tuesday, May 6, 2008

After receiving sharp criticism for its response to the needs of small businesses devastated by hurricane Katrina, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has taken steps to improve its capacity to respond to major disasters. Deputy Administrator Jovita Carranza, agency senior leaders, key staffers and federal emergency response partners participated in a two-day disaster exercise to test the agency’s capability to respond to a catastrophic disaster.

During the first day of the exercise, leaders from key units within the agency, and representatives from FEMA, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross and the IRS explained their roles and responsibilities in responding to disasters.

The next day’s simulation exercise included several catastrophic disaster scenarios designed to challenge the ability of agency leaders' to execute the SBA’s Disaster Recovery Plan in order to achieve an effective response from employees across the SBA organization.   The participants focused on delivering the highest level of customer service to disaster survivors, and worked to develop a clear and organized internal and external communications process that would provide important recovery information to the general public.

“The reforms of the last two years have prepared the SBA to process loans faster, provide better service to disaster survivors, and support the rebuilding of communities in the aftermath of major disasters,” said Deputy Administrator Carranza.  “This successful disaster exercise was a valuable experience as it allowed agency leaders to collaborate and address real-life challenges with practical, on-the-spot solutions.”

One simulation involved a Category 4 hurricane that caused flood and wind damage to homes and businesses from North Carolina to Pennsylvania.  The challenges faced by the SBA leadership included making estimates of the number of additional staff needed to respond to a disaster that damaged an estimated 900,000 structures, dealing with budget issues to ensure sufficient disaster loan funding, and responding to inaccurate media reports.

Deputy Administrator Carranza said these disaster response exercises will continue and expand to include varied groups of SBA officials, and more challenging scenarios.

Additional news and information about the SBA’s Disaster Assistance program, is available at the following URL,

http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/index.html.

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