Small But Mighty: Central Pennsylvania Tests New Alliance Model

The new Central Pennsylvania Alliance for Response experimented with a different model to launch cooperative efforts with emergency responders. An enthusiastic group of 30, drawn primarily from libraries and emergency agencies in the Harrisburg metro area, met for half a day on October 26, 2009. The meeting, held on the campus of the Harrisburg Community College, served to set the stage for further networking and action on disaster preparedness and recovery in Central Pennsylvania.

The well organized program conveyed the essential messages of the national Alliance for Response initiative. M. Clare Zales, Deputy Secretary for Libraries and David Haury, the Pennsylvania State Archivist, were on hand to welcome participants. An effective public safety panel urged participants to seek out civic leaders, emergency managers, and first responders. Kirk Wilson, the mayor of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, noted that "firefighters and law enforcement officials are concerned with life safety issues. Only you can educate them on the importance of cultural heritage."

The group also learned about the most likely risks they face from both natural and man-made disasters in their area, as well as the kind of resources in their region that can help them develop plans and respond effectively. Participants were eager to continue to work together in the future.

While Heritage Preservation provided planning and information resources, the program was funded with local support, primarily from the Associated College Libraries of Central Pennsylvania. BELFOR and Munters Corporation co-sponsored the event. Alliance for Response veteran Tom Clareson of LYRASIS led the planning committee. Click here to see the full agenda and list of sponsors.

Alliance for Response is a national program on cultural heritage and disaster management sponsored by Heritage Preservation with support from Fidelity Investments through the Fidelity Foundation. Through a series of local Forums across the country, the program builds bridges between museums, libraries, historic sites, and emergency responders before disaster happens.

 

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