Building an Emergency Plan: A Guide for Museums and Other Cultural Institutions (Getty Conservation Institute) [Paperback]

Valerie Dorge (Compiler), Sharon Jones (Compiler)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 089236551X | ISBN-13: 978-0892365517 | Publication Date: February 3, 2000

In case of earthquake, floods, or human-caused emergencies such as fires, how does a cultural institution protect the people on site, its collections, and the premises from harm? Building an Emergency Plan provides a step-by-step guide that a cultural institution can follow to develop its own emergency preparedness and response strategy.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Natural disasters are just that, something over which humans have no control. However, institutions responsible for the preservation of cultural material must be prepared to cope with the effects of these occurrences in a rapid and effective manner. The difference between an emergency and a disaster may well be the difference between readiness and panic. Based on the Getty Museum's own emergency planning handbook, this step-by-step guide is designed to allow an institution to develop plans specific to its own needs and facilities. The work is divided into three major sections, each dealing with the specific staff position involved in the planning and decision-making: the director, emergency preparedness manager, and departmental team leaders. The interaction of these posts is seen as vital to a successful response to an emergency. Examples drawn from a number of cultural institutions are provided, suggesting everything from evacuation procedures for staff and the public and the handling of art objects, to medical and disaster supplies, as well as exercises, checklists, and questions to be considered in the development of an effective strategy. The investment in collecting and maintaining our often fragile cultural heritage must include preparing for the unexpected. This practical guide is a fine contribution to the efforts to do just that. Highly recommended for libraries in museums and other cultural institutions.
-Paula Frosch, Metropolitan Museum of Art Lib., New York
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 3, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089236551X
• ISBN-13: 978-0892365517
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,576,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Must" reading for all museum and gallery professionals., April 4, 2000

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building an Emergency Plan: A Guide for Museums and Other Cultural Institutions (Getty Conservation Institute) (Paperback)

Compiled by the collaborative efforts of Valerie Dorge and Sharon Jones, Building An Emergency Plan: A Guide For Museums And Other Cultural Institutions provides concise and practical "how to" information to help professionals develop site-specific plans to protect museum and art institute visitors, staff, premises, and collections in the event of an emergency. Building An Emergency Plan is an guide manual taking readers step-by-step through the process of devising an emergency plan tailored to his or her specific institution. Dorge and Jones advocate a team approach and outline the responsibilities of the director, the emergency preparedness manager, and departmental team leaders. The text is "user friendly" in format and includes "Questions to Consider" and Suggested Exercises" that aid the reader to identify and address their institution's particular needs. Building An Emergency Plan is enhanced further with emergency preparedness maters such as evacuation procedures, supply and equipment lists, and action checklists. While Building An Emergency Plan cannot avoid the occupance of disasters to the institution, it can go a long, long way toward mitigating the adverse consequences of them and facilitate the return of operations to normal as quickly as possible.