Apply for Heritage Emergency and Response Training Program

HEART goals are to improve U.S. disaster response at the institutional level, strengthen existing networks, and connect participants to the network of people trained to document and protect cultural heritage in times of crisis. Participants will learn to be proactive in determining risk for collections, respectful of local context, and, after completing their training, ready to support measures to protect cultural heritage at their respective institutions and in their own communities.

Cost Covered

• There is no fee to participate in this training, and lodging in Washington, DC, for all selected participants will be provided for the duration of the program. Lunch will be provided during the in-person training; however, participants will be expected to cover the rest of their meal costs, all incidental expenses, and local travel. SCRI has limited travel funds available to provide roundtrip travel to/from Washington DC. Participants will be able to request assistance once selected for the program.

Expected Outcomes

• At the end of the training, participants will be able to:
  • Assess and manage risks to cultural heritage in emergency situations.
  • Explore the values associated with cultural heritage and the impact that disasters have on these values.
  • Improve existing disaster plans at their organization or agency, or on behalf of other organizations or agencies.
  • Take preventive actions to reduce disaster risk and improve response.
  • Secure, salvage, and stabilize a variety of cultural materials.
  • Manage a response team to implement effective actions during crises that affect cultural heritage.
  • Communicate successfully with the various actors, including the media, involved in an emergency response.
  • Identify relevant programs and services that can assist cultural heritage organizations in the event of a disaster.
  • Understand how first aid for cultural heritage supports recovery in affected communities and how it fits into the National Planning Frameworks.

Eligibility Criteria

• The course team will select 25 participants from cultural heritage and first responder/emergency management organizations or agencies who work in the United States, U.S. territories, or Indian Country. Since the successful recovery of heritage collections is based on collaboration among many different types of professionals, the goal of HEART is to train a group with diverse backgrounds. Therefore, both cultural heritage professionals and first responder/emergency management professionals are encouraged to apply for the training.
• They seek heritage professionals who:
  • Work at or for a cultural heritage institution that supports training in disaster planning/cultural heritage protection and intends to create or update their disaster plan.
  • Might have previously faced an emergency situation that called for an immediate response to safeguard cultural heritage, whether at their own institution or assisting another.
  • Are emerging leaders with 3–5 years’ experience in collections care/cultural heritage protection.
  • Are actively engaged in professional or heritage-related associations.
• They seek first responders and emergency management professionals who:
  • Might have responded to an emergency situation that called for an immediate response to safeguard cultural heritage.
  • Are motivated to increase their knowledge of the concerns and priorities of cultural stewards.
  • Are eager to share what they learn at this training with their colleagues.
  • Want to bolster their understanding of how cultural heritage can help communities recover and become more resilient following a disaster, and how their collaboration with cultural stewards contributes to this effort.

For more information, visit Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative.