Risk Evaluation and Planning Program

Tools & Tips

Heritage Preservation developed assessment tools and planning guidelines for the benefit of the assessor teams and museums participating in the Risk Evaluation and Planning Program (REPP). These resources can now be used by any institution to improve preparedness and to facilitate communication with preservation and emergency professionals who may be working with them.

The project application and a site questionnaire can be used as institutional self-study tools. Many REPP project applicants commented on how much they learned about their facilities just by completing these forms.
The risk prioritization worksheet is a tool to help rate risks based on the likelihood of occurrence and severity of potential damage. During the REPP pilot, this worksheet was completed by the assessors with input from museum staff. The expertise of local emergency management agencies or fire departments is helpful in completing this form.
Used in conjunction with the risk prioritization worksheet, the walk-through checklist helps staff identify a variety of conditions that may make institutions more susceptible to internal and external hazards.
A collection of one-page documents share tips on preparedness, provide ideas for simple mitigation measures, outline the basic contents of an emergency plan, and offer steps for getting started with planning efforts.

The Risk Evaluation and Planning Program was developed by Heritage Preservation and funded with a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.