AIC Collections Emergency Response Training program

Candidates are now being sought to participate in the AIC
Collections Emergency Response Training (AIC-CERT) program, funded
by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services.  A
four-and-a-half day workshop on emergency response will be offered
in three locations in 2007 for conservators and allied
professionals.

Training dates are:

    May 14-18 in Charleston, South Carolina
    October 15-19 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia
    November 12-16 in Seattle, Washington

Instructors include M.J. Davis, Barbara Moore, Theresa Voellinger,
Monona Rossol, and representatives from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA).  David Goist is the FAIC Project Manager.

The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation received
funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to
support an advanced training program for conservators and allied
professionals that will result in a force of approximately 60
"collections emergency response team" members trained to assess
damage and initiate salvage of cultural collections after a disaster
has occurred. Participants will be selected to bring expertise in a
variety of specialties and will be trained to a high level in
emergency response procedures, damage assessment methods, salvage
techniques, and the organization and management of a recovery
operation. In return for training, they will be expected to make a
committed effort to respond to an emergency when requested by AIC.
Thus, a force of conservators and other museum professionals trained
in the same body of knowledge, to the same level, and using the same
methods, will be available to work together on short notice to
assess damage and to organize and carry out initial salvage
operations for institutions holding collections.

Training will take place through a four-and-a-half day Advanced
Training Workshop in Emergency Response and Salvage that will be
conducted in three regions of the country during 2007.  The
workshops will be hosted by Southeastern Museums Conference and the
Charleston Museum in South Carolina; National Park Service Harpers
Ferry Center and the National Conservation Training Center in West
Virginia; and the Seattle Art Museum in Washington State.  There is
no registration fee required for the training, and participants will
receive support for travel, hotel, and meals.

The collections emergency response team will be drawn from
conservation, library, archive, and museum professionals.
Participants from FAIC's previous "Train the Trainers" or "Wet
Salvage" workshops are strongly encouraged to take part in this more
advanced program, and will be given priority placement in these
workshops.

Those who accept training will be expected to make a serious
commitment to the program.  They will be required, before the start
of the workshop, to complete FEMA's on-line course, "Incident
Command System (IS-100)."  Before individuals can participate in an
actual response, they will need to participate in respirator fit
tests, supply personal equipment such as their own respirator,
boots, clothing, laptop computer, digital camera, and personal
items, and maintain recommended immunizations. Participants must
also be willing to make a committed effort to respond to an
emergency when requested by AIC.   AIC hopes to secure funding or
partnerships to support travel costs for responders.

On completion of the workshop and proof of compliance with the
additional requirements, participants will receive an AIC
Collections Emergency Response Team ID badge and a "go-pack"
consisting of basic response supplies and equipment, and a simple,
recognizable "uniform" or vest.

Selection of participants will be made on a competitive basis.  The
first selection deadline is February 15.  For application forms,
selection criteria, and additional information about the program,
please see the education section of the AIC website at
<URL:http://aic.stanford.edu/education/workshops/> or contact

    Eric Pourchot
    Professional Development Director, AIC\
    1717 K St. NW
    Washington DC 20036
    202-452-9545, ext. 12
    epourchot [at] aic-faic__org


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 20:33
                Distributed: Tuesday, December 19, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-20-33-005
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