Heritage Emergency National Task Force                    
Heritage Preservation, Washington, DC

(202) 223-0800

September 1, 2004

PREPARING YOUR INSTITUTION FOR HURRICANES

National Weather Service predictions for an especially active hurricane
season are right on target. With Hurricane Frances on the way, the
Heritage Emergency National Task Force reminds museums, libraries,
archives, and historic sites to act now to protect collections and
records from water damage. 

BEFORE THE STORM 
Here are some basic precautions to take if you have advance warning and
can complete these measures safely. They are excerpted from the
Emergency Response & Salvage Wheel ((c) 1997, Heritage Preservation):
*       Move vital records and high priority items away from windows and
below-ground storage into water-resistant areas. Avoid areas under
roofs.
*       Screw plywood over windows or use tape to reduce shattering. 
*       Verify location and procedures for shutting off water, gas, and
electricity.
*       Wrap shelves, cabinets, other storage units in heavy plastic
sealed with waterproof tape. 
*       Move outdoor objects indoors or secure in place. 
*       Take with you lists of staff, institutional and public
officials, insurance and financial data, inventory, emergency plan and
supplies. 
*       Make preliminary contact with service providers for generators,
freezers, drying or freeze-drying services, and refrigerated trucking. 
*       Appoint a staff contact to give instructions on returning to
work. 

PREPARE NOW! 
Hurricanes can be very destructive. Even if you are not in the direct
path of a storm, there is danger from flooding. Here are some timely
questions for your institution:
*       Have we established a telephone tree for staff contacts?
*       Do we know the first responders in our community?
*       Is our disaster plan up to date? Our insurance coverage? Our
inventory?
*       Have we established priorities for salvaging our collections?
*       Do we have contacts at salvage firms? Have we stocked emergency
supplies?
*       Do we know what preservation resources are available in our
area?

Since 1995, the Heritage Emergency National Task Force has been working
to help cultural institutions safeguard their collections. Sponsored by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Heritage
Preservation, Inc., the Task Force is a partnership of 34 national
organizations and federal agencies. For more hurricane resources, please
visit: www.heritageemergency.org.

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