Existing Initiatives

The examination of six existing programs served as the starting point for this project. These models are innovative in their approach to cooperative disaster planning, yet few have been adopted at the state level. With disasters on the rise, now is the time to evaluate the effectiveness of existing frameworks in order to establish measures that will foster statewide collaboration and inspire the continuing education of the professionals involved.

• Heritage Preservation’s Alliance for Response has been building bridges between the cultural heritage and emergency management communities since 2003. The Alliance for Response model has been instrumental in promoting communication between cultural stewards and emergency managers at the local level.
• The Coordinated Statewide Emergency Preparedness (COSTEP) framework was developed by the Northeast Document Conservation Center in 2009 with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This framework is a planning tool that can be used by cultural heritage organizations in conjunction with federal, state, and local emergency management agencies to prepare for area-wide disasters. (more)
• The Intergovernmental Preparedness for Essential Records (IPER) project of the Council of State Archivists was funded by a $2.6 million FEMA grant. This initiative developed web-based and CD-based training for state and local governments across the nation. The IPER project trained teams in every state and territory to deliver instruction and strengthen relationships among archives and records managers, information technology specialists, and emergency managers. (more)
• The Regional Emergency Response Networks (RERN) program, was developed by LYRASIS to bring cultural heritage organizations together to “understand, engage, and play appropriate roles in larger emergencies.” Funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and tested in four states, this education and training model intended to strengthen local and regional preservation and emergency networks and improve community disaster preparedness. (more)
• The Delaware Disaster Assistance Team (DDAT) stands as a means for cooperation among the libraries, archives, museums, and related entities located within Delaware before emergencies occur and as a liaison between its participants and supporting and advisory entities. Since formalizing in 2009, DDAT has managed to sustain and add to its existing membership. (more)
• The Cultural Resources Emergency Support Team (CREST) project will create a statewide response team that takes action when disasters affect museum collections in North Carolina. Funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services will enable staff to stock a cache of recovery supplies in Raleigh that could be mobilized quickly to aid in response. The creation of a well-trained statewide response team will provide long-term assurances to museums that help is available when disaster strikes. (more)