The Society of American Archivists met last week, and there were many discussions about disaster preparedness and recovery. While most of us in South Carolina think about hurricanes when we hear “disaster,” there are other more frequent types of disasters waiting to happen in our institutions. From the leaking pipe to the crash of an HVAC system over a long summer weekend to a fire, mishaps can occur anytime. Being prepared is key to a successful recovery and possible prevention.
The Council of State Archivists (CoSA) provides planning tools on its Emergency Preparedness Initiative website http://www.statearchivists.org/prepare/, including templates for creating a Pocket Response Plan (PReP) so staff have vital response information at all times.
The Council of State Archivists (CoSA) provides planning tools on its Emergency Preparedness Initiative website http://www.statearchivists.org/prepare/, including templates for creating a Pocket Response Plan (PReP) so staff have vital response information at all times.
Sullivans Island after Hurricane Hugo, 1989
Photo by Katherine Trimnal.
Courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, U.S.C.
Photo by Katherine Trimnal.
Courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, U.S.C.
PALMCOP is working to identify resources for disaster preparedness and recovery and making links available on the website. Here you will find also applications for our Disaster Kit and our Data Loggers as well as an Emergency Procedures Manual to download. We would like to hear from membership about other resources found to be helpful. Please use the Contact Us link near the top of the Resources page http://www.preservationsc.org/resources.html
The possibility of a statewide cultural resources response initiative for South Carolina is something PALMCOP board members have been discussing. Some states have programs to assist museums, libraries, and archives in times of disaster. Massachusetts has a nice website detailing their initiative http://mblc.state.ma.us/costepma/
Such an initiative in South Carolina would take a good deal of effort, but the benefits to all would be immense.
The possibility of a statewide cultural resources response initiative for South Carolina is something PALMCOP board members have been discussing. Some states have programs to assist museums, libraries, and archives in times of disaster. Massachusetts has a nice website detailing their initiative http://mblc.state.ma.us/costepma/
Such an initiative in South Carolina would take a good deal of effort, but the benefits to all would be immense.
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