CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS WILL OBSERVE MAYDAY

Program promotes “one thing you can do” for emergency preparedness

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Archives, libraries, museums, and historic preservation organizations across America are setting aside May 1, 2007, to participate in MayDay, a national effort to protect collections from disasters.

In 2005, Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma provided a wake-up call, reminding us of the importance of disaster preparedness. The Heritage Health Index, released soon after the hurricanes, reported that few institutions have emergency plans, and some of those plans are out of date. Given human nature, it's easy to put off disaster planning.

The Heritage Emergency National Task Force urges cultural institutions across the country to observe MayDay by taking at least one step to prepare to respond to a disaster.

Here are some simple ideas:

If you have a disaster plan, dust it off and make sure it's up to date.

If you don't have a plan, make a timeline for developing one.

Get to know your local firefighters and police-invite them to come tour your institution and give you pointers on safety and preparedness.

Identify the three biggest risks to your collection.

Conduct a building evacuation drill and evaluate the results.

Update your staff contact information and create a wallet-size version of your emergency contact roster. See the Pocket Response Plan™ (PReP™) at http://www.statearchivists.org/prepare/index.htm#preps.

Eliminate hazards such as storage in hallways, blocked fire exits, or improper storage of paints, solvents, etc.

Make a plan to install any needed safety systems.

Provide staff with easily accessible disaster response information, such as http://www.heritageemergency.org.

Find a "buddy" institution to work with in case of a disaster.

Identify and prioritize important collection materials.

Take a course in risk assessment or disaster planning.

Any organization can participate in MayDay. Last year, the Louisiana State University Libraries Special Collections staff were trained to put out small fires with an extinguisher. This year, Heritage Preservation is offering its popular Field Guide to Emergency Response at special MayDay sale prices from April 15 to May 31. You can make a difference - help save our heritage!

The Society of American Archivists (SAA) created the MayDay initiative in 2006 and promoted the idea to its members and allied organizations. It was received very positively, and the Heritage Emergency National Task Force thanks SAA for helping expand the concept to include all kinds of collecting institutions and historic preservation interests.

Five variations of the MayDay logo are available electronically in both PDF and JPEG formats at www.heritagepreservation.org/mayday/index.html.

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The Heritage Emergency National Task Force is a partnership of 40 government agencies and national service organizations formed in 1995. An initiative of Heritage Preservation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Task Force has helped to protect cultural heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies. Find valuable disaster resources at the Task Force Web site, www.heritageemergency.org.

For more than 30 years, Heritage Preservation has been the national, nonprofit advocate for the proper care of the objects and sites that embody our history and enrich our lives. Heritage Preservation partners with institutions, organizations, and concerned individuals who care about preserving our past.

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