Risk Evaluation and Planning Program Site Visit is an Eye-Opener

The Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson is a participant in the Risk Evaluation and Planning Program.

The on-site risk evaluation in August of the Mississippi Museum of Art revealed simple steps museum staff can take to reduce the risk of damage to collections and buildings. The site visit in Jackson, MS, was conducted by a conservator and the city’s fire marshal as part of Heritage Preservation’s pilot Risk Evaluation and Planning Program.

One month after the site visit, the museum’s Deputy Director of Programs, Daniel Piersol, reported that his staff has already implemented many of the no-cost risk mitigation steps suggested by David Goist, a conservator selected as the Preservation Assessor for the program, and Chief Michael Sterling, the City of Jackson’s Fire Marshal recruited to serve as the Emergency Awareness Assessor for the program. Piersol cited trimming brush from the back of the building that might impact drainage and disposing of flammable materials in storage closets as accomplishments. Staff also reorganized boxes in collections storage areas so that the museum’s state-of-the-art fire suppression system can function at peak performance. They will continue work on longer-term mitigation projects.

“It’s easy to get caught up in conducting every-day job duties and not notice simple steps to increase our safety and preparedness, so it was invaluable to have these two professionals visit and share their expertise with us,” Piersol said.

Piersol and other museum staff inspect for high wind risks during the REPP site evaluation.

The cooperation of the museum's staff and board with program assessors ensured a thorough evaluation that will inform an update of the museum’s emergency plan. In addition to receiving the eye-opening site walk-through andmitigation suggestions, museum staff have established a relationship with the local fire department, providing direct access to staff fire extinguisher and CPR training and facilitated fire and evacuation drills.

The museum’s participation in the Risk Evaluation and Planning Program has elicited tremendous support from its trustees, and the museum director, Betsy Bradley, has instructed every staff member to be involved in the emergency planning process.

Fifteen Risk Evaluation and Planning Program site visits will take place this fall in Mississippi, Ohio, and Texas, where the program is being piloted by Heritage Preservation. The program is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.