Missing links: Connecting emergency management and the cultural heritage industry

Christina Crue, MS, CEM,; Robin Clark, JD

doi:10.5055/jem.2010.0021

Authors

Christina Crue, MS, CEM,
Robin Clark, JD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2010.0021

Keywords:

emergency planning, museums, cultural heritage, risk assessment

Abstract

Cultural heritage is a source of community identity and local income, two elements that are necessary in any successful disaster recovery effort.The cultural heritage industry, however, has been historically underprepared for disaster events, as recent events demonstrate. This lack of preparedness may result in the loss of irreplaceable artifacts and lagging recovery efforts. It is time to remedy this lack of preparedness through emergency planning. Although the planning process for cultural institutions is similar to other types of emergency planning, some components are unique.This article outlines the elements of emergency planning particular to cultural heritage institutions and provides guidance for emergency managers and the cultural heritage industry so that they may develop emergency plans.

Author Biographies

Christina Crue, MS, CEM,

Exercise Program Manager, Center for Health and Homeland Security, Baltimore, Maryland.

Robin Clark, JD

Senior Law and Policy Analyst, Center for Health and Homeland Security, Baltimore, Maryland.

References

American Association of Museums: Annual Report 2007. Washington, DC: American Association of Museums. Available at http://www.aam-us.org/aboutaam/governance/upload/AAM_ AR07web.pdf. Accessed June 14, 2010.

Itzkoff D: Country stars take stock after Nashville flood. New York Times: National. Available at http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes. com/2010/05/06/country-stars-take-stock-after-nashville-flood/?scp= 1&sq=Nashville%20Flood&st=cse. Accessed June 29, 2010.

Arts and Economic Prosperity III: The economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences.Available at http://www.artsusa.org/pdf/information_services/research/services/ economic_impact/aepiii/national_report.pdf. Accessed June 21, 2010.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau: Tourism, hospitality and convention industry facts one year after Katrina. New Orleans: The Convention and Visitors Bureau. Available at http://www.neworleanscvb. com/articles/index.cfm/action/view/articleID/610/typeID/26. Accessed June 14, 2010.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau: How many visitors have been to New Orleans recently? New Orleans: The Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site. Available at http://www.neworleanscvb. com/faq/index.cfm/action/Cover#New%20Orleans%20(Updated% 20May%2017,%202010). Accessed June 14, 2010.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau: Fourth quarter hospitality industry report. New Orleans: The Convention and Visitors Bureau. Available at http://www.neworleanscvb.com/articles/index.cfm/ action/view/articleID/4165/typeID/29. Accessed June 14, 2010.

The Government of the Republic of Haiti: Haiti earthquake PDNA: Assessment of damage, losses, general and sectoral needs. The World Bank Group. Available at http://siteresources.worldbank. org/INTLAC/Resources/PDNA_Haiti-2010_Working_Document_ EN.pdf. Accessed June 2, 2010.

Wakin DJ: Toll is also exacted on gulf region’s historical and cultural treasures. New York Times: National.Available at http://www. nytimes.com/2005/09/04/national/nationalspecial/04culture.html. Accessed June 14, 2010.

CNN Wire Staff: Flooding closes curtains at Grand Ole Opry House. CNN.com: US Edition. Available at http://www.cnn.com/ 2010/US/weather/05/07/tennessee.flooding.opry/index.html?iref=all search. Accessed June 30, 2010.

Corrigan A: Tulane University Howard-Tilton Memorial Library. Hurricane Katrina and the library’s collections. Available at http:// library.tulane.edu/collections/collections_katrina.php. Accessed June 30, 2010.

Dorge V, Jones S: Building an Emergency Plan, A Guide for Museums and Other Cultural Institutions. Los Angeles, CA: The Getty Conservation Institute, 1999.

Kelly K, Weinstein J: Rethinking Crescent City Culture: New Orleans two and a half years later. The Getty Conservation Institute Newsletter 23.1. Available at http://getty.museum/conservation/ publications/newsletters/23_1/news_in_cons1.html. Accessed June 14, 2010.

The National Register of Historic Places. About us. Available at http://www.nps.gov/nr/about.htm. Accessed July 19, 2010.

National Park Service: Museum Handbook, Part 1: Museum Collections. Washington, DC: National Park Service Museum Management Program, 2006: chap 10.

Heritage Preservation National Institute for Conservation: Field Guide to Emergency Response. Heritage Preservation National Institute for Conservation.

Federal Emergency Management Agency: CPG 101, Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101. Washington, DC: Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2009: Chapter 6.

Department of Homeland Security: National Response Framework. Washington, DC: Department of Homeland Security, 2008.

National Park Service: Reformatting for preservation and access: Prioritizing materials for duplication. Conserve-O-Gram. 1995; 19(10): 1-4. Available at http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/ publications/conserveogram/19-10.pdf. Accessed June 21, 2010.

National Trust for Historic Preservation: Preparation and response for cultural institutions: Documents for cultural institutions. Available at http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/ technical-assistance/disaster-recovery/cultural-institutions-prep.html. Accessed June 25, 2010.

Northeast Document Conservation Center: Resources.Available at http://www.nedcc.org/resources/leaflets.list.php. Accessed June 21, 2010.

Federal Emergency Management Agency: National Incident Management System Resource Center: Preparedness overview. Available at http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/Preparedness.shtm. Accessed June 25, 2010.

Petersen KM: Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Museums: A Business Recovery Model. Applied Research Projects. San Marcos, Texas: Texas State University, 2006: 118.

Currie K: Let private firms run state parks, museums [editorial]. The Standard Speaker. Available at http://standardspeaker.com/ opinion/let-private-firms-run-state-parks-museums-1.709438. Accessed June 14, 2010.

Federal Emergency Management Agency: Before and After Disasters: Federal Funding for Cultural Institutions. Washington, DC: Federal Emergency Management Agency. 2005.

National Trust for Historic Preservation: National Trust Preservation Funds. Available at http://www.preservationnation. org/resources/find-funding/grants/. Accessed June 30, 2010.

National Endowment for the Humanities: Preservation assistance grants for smaller institutions. Available at http://www.neh.gov/ grants/guidelines/pag.html. Accessed June 30, 2010.