ALLIANCE FOR RESPONSE NEWS BRIEF

Four Alliance for Response Forums are now in place for 2009. The economic situation has led to some changes in schedules and venues. Special thanks go to the Georgia Historical Society and the Vermont Historical Society for stepping in to help make Forums possible in Vermont and Savannah this year. All of the Forum chairs have assembled superb committees which reflect the rich resources in their communities. A list of steering committees for the new Forums is attached, and a summary of program plans is provided below:

Vermont Alliance for Response Forum
Billings Farm and Museum and Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
Woodstock, Vermont
Chair: Jackie Calder, Vermont Historical Society

August 31, 2009

Highlights of the program include an emergency scenario led by the director of the Vermont Emergency Management Agency and a visit from the governor. Discussion topics will cover the hazards inherent in renovation projects and models for cooperative emergency planning. See the full agenda at http://www.heritagepreservation.org/AfR/Vermont/Goals.html.

Denver Alliance for Response Forum
Denver Public Library
Denver, CO
Co-chairs: Jim Kroll, Denver Public Library and
Annie Levinsky, Molly Brown House Museum

September 25, 2009

The program will emphasize the importance of communication between cultural heritage staff and emergency responders and foster understanding of terminology, protocols, and priorities. Registrants already include a sizable number of emergency management, fire, and law enforcement officials.

Triangle Alliance for Response Forum
North Carolina Museum of Art
Raleigh, NC
Chair: Robert James, NC Preservation Consortium

October 23, 2009

The Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources will be among the speakers at the Triangle Alliance for Response Forum. The �Triangle� includes Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest. The program features both state and local experts in preservation and emergency response.

Savannah Alliance for Response Forum
Jepson Center for the Arts
Savannah, GA
Chair: Lynette Stoudt, Georgia Historical Society

December 8, 2009

The Savannah steering committee plans to highlight the importance of cultural heritage to the local economy and the potential impact a disaster could have on the community. Save-the-date messages will be sent in early September. As program details become available for all the Forums, they will be posted on the Alliance for Response page at http://www.heritagepreservation.org/AfR/, where you will also find news on the activities in other cities.

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The Heritage Emergency National Task Force s 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

Heritage Preservation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of the United States. By identifying risks, developing innovative programs, and providing broad public access to expert advice, Heritage Preservation assists museums, libraries, archives, historic preservation and other organizations, as well as individuals, in caring for our endangered heritage.