Contact:
Jane Long
Director, Heritage Emergency National Task Force
1012 14th St., NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-233-0800
Fax: 202-233-0807
E-mail: taskforce@heritagepreservation.org
Web: www.heritageemergency.org

Membership Information
The Heritage Emergency National Task Force is a partnership of 40 national service organizations and federal agencies, of which the AIA is a member. AIA members can become members of Heritage Preservation.

Brief Summary of the Organization and Its Mission
The Heritage Emergency National Task Force is a partnership of 40 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 cosponsored by Heritage Preservation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Initiatives in the Past Year Illustrating the Focus and Direction of the Organization
With support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Heritage Preservation (in support of the task force) has developed the 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 guide provides handy checklists and features a DVD on safety and salvage techniques that can be used on-site with a laptop computer.

During 2003-2004, the innovative Alliance for Response initiative brought cultural heritage leaders and emergency responders together through a series of successful forums in Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas, and New York City. Each forum strengthened local partnerships and led to local projects. New forums are being held in Seattle, Chicago, Atlanta, and four cities in California during 2006 and early 2007. A new Team-Building Kit will help other communities launch their own alliances.

Katrina and Cultural Heritage: Lessons Applied from the 2005 Hurricane Season. In October 2006, the Heritage Emergency National Task Force launched a “Lessons Applied” initiative designed to help task force members develop and implement projects to address the major issues that Katrina and other major storms brought to light. The goal is to convert analysis to action. In the next seven months, panels will develop innovative solutions in five issue areas: incentives for preparedness, relations with emergency responders, planning for region-wide events, funding for stabilization and recovery, and coordination of cultural heritage efforts.

Preservation Issues that are of Particular Concern to Your Organization
• Helping cultural heritage institutions and sites be better prepared for emergencies and obtain needed resources when disaster strikes.
• Encouraging the incorporation of cultural and historic assets into disaster planning and mitigation efforts at all levels of government.
• Facilitating a more effective and coordinated response to all kinds of emergencies, including catastrophic events.

Preservation Trends/Opportunities that Your Organization Views as Advancements or Potential Advancements in the Field of Historic Preservation at Large and/or Advancements in Historic Preservation within Your Organization
At the Preserve America Summit in New Orleans October 18-19, participants made recommendations to advance historic preservation and cultural resource policies. Heritage Preservation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency co-chaired an issue area panel called “Dealing with the Unexpected.” Recommendations included: 1. Create a comprehensive inventory of historic preservation, archaeological and cultural resources. 2. Better integrate historic preservation, archaeological and cultural resources into emergency management at the local, state and Federal levels. 3. Integrate these same resources into state and local mitigation strategies. 4. Establish a cohesive web-based information network to coordinate disaster response by trained volunteers. 5. Develop funding mechanisms to support immediate stabilization and encourage continuity of operations plans. 6. Examine and recommend improvements to existing legislation and regulations governing historic preservation, archaeological and cultural resources to facilitate their preservation in the event of a disaster.

Ways the AIA/HRC and Its Members Can Be Supportive of Your Organization
Join Heritage Preservation. Participate in Heritage Emergency National Task Force initiatives.