Dear Colleagues,
In anticipation of the impact of Hurricane Henri, I have been in touch with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and their liaison with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF).
Here are some points of contact, should you need them:
American Institute for Conservation (AIC)
Elaina Gregg, egregg@culturalheritage.org
Elaina is a great point of contact to connect institutions needing technical assistance.
National Heritage Responders
Sites and organizations can also reach out directly to the AIC-supported National Heritage Responders at (202) 661-8068. This hotline can connect cultural organizations directly with conservators with specialized training in disaster preparedness and recovery.
Please monitor the storm via the National Hurricane Center and state emergency management agencies. Key messages in Spanish can be accessed from that URL as well. You’ll find additional resources on the HENTF dashboard that contains graphics from the National Hurricane Center as well as preparedness tips for cultural institutions and other useful links.
CT Humanities will be in touch again after the storm to assess how we can best assist in the aftermath. In the meantime, please review the information below from Conservation ConneCTion at CoSTEP-CT at the Connecticut State Library for steps you can take to prepare your organization for the storm.
I wish you all the best,
Jason R. Mancini, Ph.D.
Executive Director
CT Humanities
| From Conservation ConneCTion at CoSTEP-CT at the Connecticut State Library |
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(Sent Friday, 8/20)
Tropical Storm Henri will most likely impact Connecticut on Sunday into early next week with potentially heavy rain and high wind and with the ground already saturated due to the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred. Now is the time to go over your emergency procedures and ensure your building and records are secured. Remember, water can always find a way to enter a building especially when there are roofing or basement issues. Even a small leak can become a major problem in a tropical storm or hurricane.Here are some reminders regarding precautions to take over the next few days:
- Know what’s coming your way. Track the storm here: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
- Be personally prepared. Learn what you need to do to be ready at home so you can focus on what you need to do to be prepared at your agency. https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
- Keep contact information for key staff, services, and resources with you at all times.
- Review your agency or department emergency response plan, update it as necessary, and take it home with you.
- Back up your electronic records and store the backup in a safe place off site if this is not already handled by your IT services.
- Move records out of basements and off floors.
- Gather plastic sheeting for covering records and computer equipment stored in vulnerable locations.
- Move records and computer equipment away from windows and below-ground areas into water-resistant areas. Avoid areas under roofs.
- Know location and procedures for shutting off water, gas, and electricity.
- Move outdoor objects indoors or secure in place.
- Clean gutters to allow water to flow away from your building.
- Hold a planning meeting with staff today!
If you experience an issue from the storm, you can call Kathy Craughwell-Varda at Conservation ConneCTion for assistance at (203) 241-0618.
Additional Resources for Emergency Response
- The American Institute for Conservation Collections Emergency Response Team (AIC-CERT) responds to the needs of cultural institutions during emergencies and disasters through coordinated efforts with first responders, state agencies, vendors and the public. For 24-hour assistance, call (202) 661-8068. For more information on AIC disaster response and recovery information visit the AIC website.
- The Northeast Document Center as part of its Preservation Services program offers an emergency assistance program for institutions and individuals with damaged paper-based collections. Call the Disaster Assistance Hotline: (978) 470-1010.
- Lyrasis – (updated) if your library or institution has suffered damage and would like to request assistance, contact LYRASIS Preservation Services at (504) 300-9478. Preservation Services staff are available to provide advice on salvaging collections or connect you to additional resources 24/7. This service is free of charge.
Stay alert! Even if you have not had any previous issues, there is always a first time. |
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