New Audio Offers Tips on Emergency Planning and Networks

In November 2008, Heritage Preservation brought together leaders from past and future Alliance for Response Forums, emergency professionals, and funding agencies to celebrate the success of the initiative and share program strategies. Participants discussed what makes forums compelling, how to engage emergency responders, and where to find resources to sustain local networks. The meeting energized Alliance for Response partners and generated many creative ideas for community outreach.

Now the highlights of the day-long discussion have been distilled in a one-hour audio presentation that can be accessed online or downloaded to an iPod, MP3 player, or other portable listening device. Even listeners not involved in Alliance for Response will find useful strategies for protecting the cultural and historic resources in any community. The Heritage Preservation Web site provides a list of speakers as well as a guide to the inevitable acronyms.

The audio presentation is divided into four topics, each of which can be played or downloaded in separate segments. Although one topic is especially helpful to groups planning Alliance for Response Forums, others have wider application:

• In Planning Alliance for Response Forums, speakers offer suggestions on structuring a Forum program, building the audience, and reaching out to emergency responders.
• Building Relationships with Emergency Responders gets inside the minds of emergency professionals as they share pointers on maintaining partnerships, improving communications, and finding just the right contacts.
• In Alliance for Response, the Forum is only the first step toward building a lasting partnership. Developing Local Networks features strategies for sustaining these alliances and a wealth of ideas for projects to protect collections and historic sites.
• Many emergency preparedness activities need funding. Finding Support for Disaster Projects offers guidance from federal program officers and advice from local planning committees about sources of federal, state, and local grants.

Click here to listen to the audio presentation from the Alliance for Response Leadership Roundtable. We welcome your comments and questions at taskforce(a)heritagepreservation.org.