The Heritage Emergency Task Force (HENTF), a public-private partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Smithsonian, has announced that it is virtualizing its annual Heritage Emergency and Response Training (HEART). All events are virtual and free, but require registration. Below is the official notice from HENTF:
After careful consideration of the continued health risks posed by COVID-19, the Heritage Emergency and Response Training (HEART) coordination team decided not to host an in-person HEART program this year. However, in its place will be a week of informative programming dedicated to increasing understanding of emergencies and disasters that affect cultural institutions and historic sites. Kicking off the week of December 6 is an informational session about the history of HEART and its creation by the Heritage Emergency National Task Force. Three graduates will highlight how HEART has helped them in their work. The rest of the week, daily keynotes will feature experts in the fields of emergency management, heritage protection, and current disaster research.
All webinars will take place in Zoom. Webinars are free but registration is required. For more information and to register, go to https://culturalrescue.si.edu/hentf/training/.
Monday, December 6
Stories from the HEART: Heritage Emergency and Response Training in Action
2:00 PM–3:00 PM EST
Tuesday, December 7
Using Volunteers in Times of Disaster
Dr. Samantha Montano, Assistant Professor of Emergency Management, Massachusetts Maritime Academy
1:00 PM–2:00 PM EST
Wednesday, December 8
The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico to the rescue of the artistic and cultural heritage of Puerto Rico
Marta Mabel Pérez, Executive Director, Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
1:00 PM–2:00 PM EST
Thursday, December 9
Cultural Heritage & Climate Change: Disaster Planning, Adaptation, and Resilience
Sarah Sutton: CEO, Environment and Culture Partners
1:00 PM–2:00 PM EST
Friday, December 10
Social media and disasters affecting cultural heritage
Dr. Pakhee Kumar, Lecturer in Sustainable Heritage and Data Analysis, University College London
1:00 PM–2:00 PM EST
About HEART
In 2015 the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI) became the co-sponsor, with FEMA’s Office of Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (OEHP), of the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), a public-private partnership created to protect our nation’s cultural heritage. Both SCRI and OEHP are committed to expanding training for cultural stewards, first responders, and emergency managers to better prepare them to work together to address emergencies and disasters that affect cultural institutions and historic sites.
With funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Bank of America, HENTF has created this training opportunity for U.S.–based professionals to gain skills and experience in disaster response for cultural heritage. HEART combines the important principles of the internationally recognized First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis (FAC) training model with context-specific information for a U.S. audience.
Questions?
Contact the Heritage Emergency National Task Force at hentf@si.edu or contact the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative at culturalrescue@si.edu.