Reger Speaks at SPNHC Annual Meeting

Larry Reger, president of Heritage Preservation, was the keynote speaker at a special session of the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections 19th Annual Meeting in May. The session's focus was Museums SOS: Strategies for Emergency Response and Salvage, and Mr. Reger spoke about the challenges of emergency response for cultural institutions and the work of the Heritage Emergency National Task Force.

Mr. Reger pointed out that past priorities have focused on preventing the slow deterioration of cultural materials, and that natural history collections are also threatened by becoming orphaned due to major reductions in financial commitments. But the biggest challenge to the field is addressing swift and catastrophic emergencies.

Building networks to deal with cultural emergencies is a critical issue that the Task Force is addressing through its Alliance for Response forums. Although some local, state, and regional networks exist, a nationwide network has yet to be established.

Basic principles for cultural heritage emergency networks include:

• Cooperation is essential. Preservation professionals have salvage expertise but do not know emergency response protocols; first responders need to know salvage priorities so they can be sensitive to them if the emergency situation allows.
• Both communities, preservation professionals and first responders, need to learn each other's language.
• Preparation is essential before disaster strikes.

The Task Force's Alliance for Response project has given rise to several effective local networks. They share the following goals:

• providing information to collecting institutions on local disaster management issues
• educating first responders on why it is important to protect collections, including the fact that some are unique and hold knowledge that will be valued by future generations
• redoubling efforts to gain a commitment to emergency preparedness at all levels of cultural institutions
• developing strong ongoing cooperative city, state, and/or regional networks.

Mr. Reger also pointed out that after people have secured their safety, health, shelter, food, and clothing, they are most concerned about things they cherish. Getting information about care and salvage of family treasures out to the public is another Task Force priority.

The SPNHC 2004 meeting featured themes of disaster response and forging links with other stakeholders in the area of natural history collections.