History of the Task Force

The Heritage Emergency National Task Force is a partnership of 41 national service organizations and federal agencies created to protect cultural heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies. The Task Force was founded in 1995 and is co-sponsored by Heritage Preservation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Its primary goals are to:

Help cultural heritage institutions and sites be better prepared for emergencies and obtain needed resources when disaster strikes.
Encourage the incorporation of cultural and historic assets into disaster planning and mitigation efforts at all levels of government.
Facilitate a more effective and coordinated response to all kinds of emergencies, including catastrophic events.
Assist the public in recovering treasured heirlooms damaged by disasters.

Heritage Preservation Initiatives on Behalf of the Task Force

Lessons Applied: Katrina and Cultural Heritage. Through the Lessons Applied initiative, Task Force members implemented projects to address major issues that hurricane Katrina and other major storms brought to light. The resulting tools aid in disaster preparedness and recovery: Working with Emergency Responders: Tips for Cultural Institutions; Guide to Navigating FEMA and SBA Disaster Aid for Cultural Institutions; Recommended Professional Emergency Management Training; Foundation Grants for Preservation in Libraries, Archives and Museums; and MayDay, an annual event that encourages cultural institutions to undertake one simple emergency preparedness task each May.

Alliance for Response. Since 2003, this innovative initiative has brought cultural heritage leaders and emergency responders together through a series of successful Forums in Dallas, Boston, Cincinnati, New York City, Seattle, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and four cities in California. Each Forum strengthened local partnerships and led to local projects. A new Forum Planning Handbook helps other communities launch their own alliances.

Field Guide to Emergency Response. The compact handbook is designed for immediate use when disaster strikes. Simple, clear instructions help staff organize essential disaster response functions and tackle common threats to collections. The award-winning Field Guide provides handy checklists and features a DVD with demonstrations of salvage techniques. Video clips, the Table of Contents, and ordering information is available in the Bookstore.

Risk Evaluation and Planning Program. This pilot project encourages small and mid-sized museums to prepare for disasters. In 2008, teams of two professionals—an expert in collections care and a local first responder—will visit 15 museums in Mississippi, Ohio, and Texas, to evaluate their exposure to risks and prioritize mitigation and planning activities. Guided by the evaluation, each museum will develop an emergency plan.

The fourth edition of the Emergency Response and Salvage Wheel features an updated section on electronic records, a water-resistant coating, and handy magnets. Originally produced in 1997, the Wheel is a highly respected tool for protecting documents, art, and artifacts from water damage. It has been translated into six languages; a Spanish-language Wheel is available from Heritage Preservation.

Response to Hurricane Katrina. After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, the Heritage Emergency National Task Force took the lead in coordinating the response by organizations concerned about damage to cultural and historic collections. Heritage Preservation guided the efforts of Task Force members and other organizations eager to help with recovery through national conference calls, research on damage, expanded Web resources, and the wide distribution of disaster recovery information and tools.

At the Preserve America Summit in New Orleans October 18-19, 2006, participants reviewed the major components of the national historic preservation program and made recommendations to advance historic preservation and cultural resource policies. As part of the effort, Heritage Preservation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency co-chaired an issue area panel called “Dealing with the Unexpected.”

Before and After Disasters: Federal Funding for Cultural Institutions, produced with support from FEMA and the National Endowment for the Arts, is a revised, expanded version of the popular “Resources for Recovery.” The 32-page booklet provides summary information and case examples on 15 federal grant and loan programs with resources for prevention, mitigation, and recovery projects.

The Task Force provides news releases and tip sheets with expert advice on salvaging family photographs and other heirlooms damaged by disasters. See Save Your Treasures the Right Way and additional resources.

Cataclysm and Challenge provided the only comprehensive overview of the damage and loss to cultural property that resulted from the events of September 11. The report, available in print and on-line, addresses basic emergency management practices and explores what institutions need to cope effectively in the future.

February 2008