Preserving the Collection: Disaster Planning, Response & Recovery

  We're approaching the end of National Preparedness Month. Have you prepared an emergency kit for yourself or your collection? Most of the materials that go in an emergency kit have a long use life, so it's never too early to set up your kits!   Suggestions for your personal emergency kit: https://www.ready.gov/kit https://www.weather.gov/owlie/emergencysupplieskit https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html Suggestions for your collections emergency kits: https://connectingtocollections.org/collections-emergency-kits/ https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/migrated/museum/upload/DOI-Museum-Emergency-Salvage-Box-supply-list.pdf https://ccaha.org/resources/emergency-supply-kits

This guide by the Image Permanence Institute does a great job of briefly explaining how temperature, relative humidity, dew point, mechanical systems, and collections interact: https://s3.cad.rit.edu/ipi-assets/publications/hvac_reference.pdf

FEMA has released their National Resilience Guidance, which focuses on a collaborative, community-centered approach to strengthen resilience. Starting on September 24, 2024, they will be hosting a series of four webinars to address topics in the NRG. National Resilience Guidance: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_national-resilience-guidance_august2024.pdf NRG synopsis and webinar information:  https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/plan/resilience-guidance

September is National Preparedness Month on Ready.gov, where you will find information on all kinds of disasters, hazards, and how to prepare for them.