ALLIANCE FOR RESPONSE NEWS BRIEF

December 2009

These past few months have been the busiest ever for the Alliance for Response initiative. Since our last update in October, Heritage Preservation has co-sponsored two full day Forums in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, and participated in a half-day model in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. All events were well attended and helped advance our goal of building bridges between the emergency response and cultural heritage fields.

On October 23, 2009, more than 70 representatives from Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill cultural and public safety organizations met at the North Carolina Museum of Art for the Triangle Alliance for Response Forum. Raleigh Fire Chief John McGrath urged cultural organizations to introduce themselves to responders: “We will be grateful for your expertise and we are looking for your guidance to do the right thing.” Learn more about the day’s events at www.heritagepreservation.org/AfR/Raleigh/News.html .

An enthusiastic group of 30 participants from libraries and emergency agencies met at the Harrisburg Community College on October 26, 2009. The Central Pennsylvania Alliance for Response Forum tested a half-day program funded primarily with local support. See a meeting summary at www.heritagepreservation.org/AfR/CentralPA/index.html.

The Savannah Alliance for Response Forum was held on December 8, 2009, at the Jepson Center for the Arts. The excellent program resulted in a new coalition committed to protecting the area's extensive cultural heritage. Participants agreed to an ambitious menu of cooperative disaster planning, training, and preparation in the future. Read more about this exciting finale to the year's Forums at www.heritagepreservation.org/AfR/Savannah/News.html.

Good news for 2010! The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded Heritage Preservation a 2-year grant for Alliance for Response. The grant will support Forums in three new cities, two national Leadership Institutes, and an outreach campaign to emergency professionals. The Leadership Institutes will be designed to help Alliance for Response partners sustain local networks and work more strategically with emergency agencies.

Mary, Cindy and I extend special thanks to everyone who contributed to the successful Alliance for Response Forums and local programs this year. Happy Holidays to all!

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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

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.