CoSA expects to expand this directory over time, but
encourages everyone to learn more about the following tools and integrate
them into their preparedness efforts.
The Council
of State Archivists encourages state archives and
other public and private archival repositories to adapt its Assessment
of Emergency Preparedness and the Pocket
Response Plan (PReP)™ for their own use.
dPlan™
is an online tool that can help any archival repository or cultural
institution develop a customized plan for disaster prevention and
response. Developed by the Northeast
Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) and the Massachusetts
Board of Library Commissioners.
MayDay – held May 1 every year – is a grass-roots effort, originated
by the Society of American Archivists and now spreading to all cultural institutions, encouraging archivists
and other cultural heritage professionals to "take personal and
professional responsibility for doing something simple – something
that can be accomplished in a day but that can have a significant
impact on an individual’s or a repository’s ability to
respond."
The
Field
Guide to Emergency Response explains "initial steps to take,
essential response functions, and conditions you are likely to encounter"
when responding to a natural disaster or other emergency. The manual
is accompanied by a DVD that makes an excellent instructional tool
for individuals or group presentation. Developed by Heritage Preservation in support of the Heritage
Emergency National Task Force.
The
Emergency Response and Salvage Wheel
from the Heritage
Emergency National Task Force has two sides: The Action Steps
on side one outline "critical stages of disaster response, such
as stabilizing the environment and assessing damage." The Salvage
Steps on side two provide "practical tips for nine types of collections:
books and documents, photographs, electronic records, paintings, and
more."
In October 2006, the Heritage Emergency National Task Force launched a “Lessons Applied” initiative to develop and implement projects to address the major issues that Hurricane Katrina brought to light. New tools for libraries, archives, museums, and historic sites resulted. These resources include an expanded version of MayDay, Tips for Working with Emergency Responders, Guide to Navigating FEMA and SBA Disaster Aid for Cultural Institutions, and Recommended Professional Emergency Management Training.
The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is "a congressionally ratified organization that provides form and structure to interstate mutual aid.
Through EMAC, a disaster impacted state can request and receive assistance from other member states quickly and efficiently, resolving two key issues upfront: liability and reimbursement." State archives could access professional help across state lines through EMAC.
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has developed an IT Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Tool-kit: Planning for the Next Disaster (June 2007) and a video, "Government At Risk: Protecting Your IT Infrastructure" (
March 2007) that is viewable online.
The Disaster Mitigation Planning Assistance Website, a joint project of the Michigan State University Libraries, the Center for Great Lakes Culture, and the California Preservation Program, includes a nationwide searchable database for supplies, services, and experts
http://matrix.msu.edu/~disaster/
WESTPAS (Western States and Territories Preservation Assistance Service) a regional library and
archives preservation service new in 2007, delivers workshops on disaster preparedness,
response, and collection salvage to 600 staff of libraries and archives in
14 participating states and territories. Workshop participants create
written disaster response and collection salvage plans and are trained to
teach staff at their home institutions to take appropriate action in the
event of an emergency. These workshops will create networks of library
and archives staff, providing a community of mutual aid assistance for
disaster response and preservation of collections in the region. WESTPAS
also maintains a 24/7 disaster assistance number to provide advice and
help in the event of a collection disaster. http://www.westpas.org/
TheConservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) offers emergency assistance for institutions and individuals with damaged paper-based collections by offering conservation treatment, technical information, training programs, and consultation services including on-site assistance at the time of an emergency and resources for writing emergency preparedness and response plans. CCAHA staff can provide information on damaged collections and strategies for recovering from water, fire, pest infestation, or mold outbreaks. Referrals can be provided for commercial vendors, along with suppliers of equipment and supplies needed for a recovery effort. Technical bulletins on disaster recovery and salvage of books, photographs and art on paper are available online at http://www.ccaha.org/publications/technical-bulletins. CCAHA's Mid-Atlantic Resource Guide for Disaster Preparedness is updated annually and is available for download at http://www.ccaha.org/publications/emergency-resource-guide.
