WASHINGTON, D.C., - July 2, 2008 - After disasters, having on-the-ground expert analysis, clear goal-setting, and a well-defined division of labor help to accelerate the recovery process. These and other lessons-learned for better disaster management are introduced in a new report issued by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC).

The report, On the Brink: Re-Engineering the Nation's Disaster Response Processes, is a collection of 26 essays by experts in emergency response. Writers represent corporations, local chambers of commerce, federal and local government, academia, and humanitarian-aid organizations.

"Together, we are establishing guidelines for faster, smarter disaster management that enable us to rebuild communities, restore local economies and preserve livelihoods." said BCLC Executive Director Stephen Jordan, "We are building a consensus around new ways of thinking about how best to respond to disasters."

Lessons and recommendations in the report are derived from past major disasters such as hurricanes Ivan, Katrina and Rita; the Southeast Asia tsunami and the 2007 wildfires in southern California. The report concludes with five recommendations from BCLC, which could help American communities and disaster responders foster long-term economic recovery.

Jordan, along with the Small Business Administration's Steve Smith, Google's MJ Pizzella, and George Washington University George Haddow, announced the report at a press briefing yesterday at the U.S. Chamber headquarters.

The 2008 version is the third report in BCLC's annual series on disaster assistance and recovery. Online access and a video recording are available at www.uschamber.com/bclc. Printed copies are available upon request.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region. BCLC is a 501(c) 3 affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and manages the U.S. Chamber's Disaster Assistance and Recovery program. BCLC is a resource and voice for businesses and their social and philanthropic interests.