§ 1945.30 - FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 Emergency Loan Support Teams (ELST).

(a) Use of ELSTs. ELSTs are to be used when a disaster warrants immediate attention by FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103–354 in implementing the EM loan program. Also, ELSTs are used when unusually large numbers of EM loan applications are received and personnel from other areas are required to be temporarily assigned to assist in rendering prompt service to the affected area(s).

(b) State Office ELST. Each State Director shall form an ELST to be deployed, when needed, in areas affected by a major disaster, Presidential emergency, or a natural disaster. ELSTs shall assist the State Directors in expediting the making of EM loans to disaster victims.

(1) State Directors shall use the ELSTs formed in their State(s) and all other FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103–354 personnel within their State(s), as the need arises, in making EM loans. If additional help is needed beyond that available in the State, including the use of overtime, temporary personnel, and/or private contractors, the State Director shall advise the National Office of these needs and request outside assistance.

(2) Upon request from a State Director, the Assistant Administrator, Farmer Programs, will consider detailing ELSTs from other States to assist in the making of EM loans.

(3) State ELSTs will consist of a team leader and team members, selected by the State Director.

(i) The State ELST can include Farmer Programs Specialists, County and Assistant County Supervisors, Program Review Assistants, County Office Assistants, and County Office Clerks.

(ii) So that no one person or County Office unit bears an unfair burden, State team members will be changed from time to time.

(iii) Team members will provide training in EM loan making and EM loan servicing to all County Office employees.

(iv) District Directors are responsible for notifying the State Director of any need to change a team member within their district.

(4) State ELSTs will be trained as follows:

(i) The National Office will hold training meetings or workshops for ELST leaders as needed; and

(ii) State ELST leaders will be responsible for training and keeping the State team and all other State personnel currently informed on all phases of EM loans.

(5) State Directors will issue a State supplement establishing an ELST for the State(s) under their jurisdiction. This supplement will name the team leader and all members. A copy of this supplement will be sent to the National Office, Attention: Director, Emergency Designation Staff.

(c) National Office ELST leaders. The National Office has established a cadre of ELST team leaders.

(1) National Office team leaders will be used as follows:

(i) Training of FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103–354 field personnel, other USDA personnel, and temporary personnel in the making of EM loans:

(ii) Assisting State Directors in the organization and expediting of assistance to eligible disaster victims; and

(iii) Leading ELSTs in areas with an unusually large volume of EM loan applications.

(2) Upon request from a State Director, the Assistant Administrator, Farmer Programs, will consider detailing one or more National Office team leaders to assist in the training of personnel and organizing of EM loan processing activities.