User:Jmadre1/Emergency Response(museum) JHUFinal

Emergency Response (museum)

Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response definition. How the concept and procedures can change given each institutions personnel and resources. How a Conservator, or representative/guardian of the collection, can become an effective 'project manager' when responding to their own institutions emergencies as well as other state and local institutions emergency conservation concerns.

Building an Emergency Plan
Everything from assessing building altercation and security, collections risk management, integrated pest management, on- and off-site digital and physical back-up storage, staff training, exhibitions cautions, RH/Temp. and HVAC management systems, insurance, and a museum staff and non-museum staff 'phone tree' and responsibilities ladder.

Notification of Emergency Personnel
Essential museum staff, emergency services, media liason, insurance, any loaning institutions, etc.

Notification and Deployment of Emergency Teams
Depending on how soon after a disaster or emergency you can respond (i.e. go in the building to assess damage), contact specific museum staff teams and coordinate with appropriate emergency services (i.e. maintenance rentals, storage facilities, other museums, AIC Certs, etc.)

Documentation
Using appropriate (and hopefully already provided) paperwork, how will you respond to the disaster? By gallery? By object, loans (incoming or outgoing), most damaged items, newer exhibits vs older ones? *Reminder to take detailed notes throughout the conditioning to assess how the disaster occurred and how it can be prevented in the future.

Assessment and Procedure
Constant, methodical communication between museum teams and non-museum personnel to make sure nothing is lost, thrown away, or unaccounted for. Must identify hazardous materials and any critical issues. This leads into creating salvage priorities.

Stabilization
Retrieval and protection of artifacts, exhibits, and the building itself. How to coordinate with both exhibitions and administration about proceeding in the next couple of months

Recommendations
Quick summary of how to be prepared and handle a disaster or emergency in a museum setting.

Emergency Response Contacts
AIC Certs (24 hour assistance)