FAIC Collections Emergency Response Training

FAIC to Extend Collections Emergency Response Training

Candidates are now being sought to participate in the FAIC
Collections Emergency Response Training (AIC-CERT) program, funded
by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services.  A
four-and-a-half day workshop on emergency response will be offered
in two locations in 2011 for conservators and allied professionals.

Training dates are:

    March 28-April 1, 2011 in San Diego, California
    April 25-29, 2011      in Houston, Texas

Instructors include M.J. Davis, Barbara Moore, Theresa Voellinger,
Monona Rossol, Chris Stavroudis, and representatives from local
emergency response agencies and national disaster recovery
companies.

Based on the success of the existing AIC-CERT program, the
Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation received
funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to
support an advanced training program for conservators and allied
professionals that will add approximately 40 new "collections
emergency response team" members to the existing group of 60
AIC-CERT responders.  Since 2008, AIC-CERT members have assisted
over 40 cultural institutions in the U.S. and Haiti. Responders
offer their expertise via phone, e-mail, and on-site visits; helping
cultural staff assess damages and salvage their collections.
Responders have deployed to Iowa (Midwest flooding, 2008), Galveston
(Hurricane Ike, 2008), and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (earthquake, 2010).

Candidates will be trained to assess damage and initiate salvage of
cultural collections after a disaster has occurred. Participants
will be selected to bring expertise in a variety of specialties and
will be trained to a high level in emergency response procedures,
damage assessment methods, salvage techniques, and the organization
and management of a recovery operation. In return for training, they
will be expected to make a committed effort to respond to an
emergency when requested by FAIC. Thus, a force of conservators and
other museum professionals trained in the same body of knowledge, to
the same level, and using the same methods, will be available to
work together on short notice to assess damage and to organize and
carry out initial salvage operations for institutions holding
collections.

Training will take place through a four-and-a-half day Advanced
Training Workshop in Emergency Response and Salvage that will be
conducted in two locations during 2011.  The workshops will be
hosted by Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in Texas and by the Balboa
Art Conservation Center in San Diego, California.  There is no
registration fee required for the training, and participants will
receive support for travel, hotel, and meals.  (Support is available
only to U.S. citizens or residents, due to Federal funding.)

The collections emergency response team will be drawn from
conservation, library, archive, and museum professionals.

Those who accept training will be expected to make a serious
commitment to the program.  They will be required, before the start
of the workshop, to complete FEMA's on-line course, "Incident
Command System" (ICS-100), available at:

    <URL:http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp>

Before individuals can participate in an actual response, they will
need to participate in respirator fit tests, supply personal
equipment as needed, such as their own respirator, boots, clothing,
laptop computer, digital camera, and personal items, and maintain
recommended immunizations. Participants must also be willing to make
a committed effort to respond to an emergency when requested by
FAIC. FAIC can normally support travel costs for responders at
large-scale disaster sites.

On completion of the workshop and proof of compliance with the
additional requirements, participants will receive an AIC
Collections Emergency Response Team ID badge and a "go-pack"
consisting of basic response supplies and equipment, and a
reflective vest with the AIC-CERT logo.

Selection of participants will be made on a competitive basis.  For
application forms, selection criteria, and additional information
about the program, please see

    <URL:http://www.conservation-us.org/2011training>

or contact

    Eric Pourchot
    202-661-8061
    faicgrants<-a t->conservation-us< . >org

Eric Pourchot, Ph.D.
Institutional Advancement Director
Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic
    and Artistic Works
1156 15th St. NW, Suite 320
Washington, DC  20005-1714
Direct Phone: 202-661-8061
AIC/FAIC Office Phone: 202-452-9545
Fax: 202-452-9328


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:34
                Distributed: Thursday, January 13, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-24-34-022
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