Nine Steps of
Disaster Management
 

(Résumé of actions taken in the flood in Saxony 2002;

author: Dr. Schuler, 2005 / Jan / 01)

print edition

1)  Before and during the catastrophe
2)  Immediately afterwards
3)  Provisional survey

4)  Preparing support

5)  Giving support

6)  Final survey

9)  Precautions

   

1)  Before and during the catastrophe

People

evacuation

            rescue operations

 

Collection

evacuation

 

Building

protection

   
2)  Immediately afterwards
People

contacting the staff

helping the injured

recruiting volunteer helpers

 

Collection

keeping safely

cleaning + protecting

(paper): shock frosting

 

Building

emergency store room

cleaning

urgent repairs

drying

   

3)  Provisional survey

Collecting information

identifying damaged as well as not affected museums

first assessment of damage (type, extent, value)

quick report (including a picture, if possible)

need for help (very detailed: assistance, material, equipment, money)

 

Spreading information

communication to museums + organisations (E-mail, Web portals)

website: start

media: first press release

   

4)  Preparing support

Partnership

bringing museums together

 

Volunteer work

bringing people together

 

Donations

opening donation accounts

 

Relief funds

contacting foundations

establishing new funds

 

National schemes of support

collecting information

   

5)  Giving support

Information

website

newsletter + FAQ

hotline

 

Advice

case management

supporting applications to foundations

selection of foundation

filling application form

joint applications

supporting in conflicts with bureaucracy  (very important!)

     

Controlling

fairness in distribution (mind the small museums!)

arriving of payments (if necessary: speeding up, instalment)

correct use of support

   

6)  Final survey

Collecting information

detailed assessment of damage (see my checklist “Damage Assessment”)

definitive Reports

photographs (pre + after)

 

Spreading information

communication to museums + organisations

website: full version (see my report “The Web“)

media: press release

   

7)  Back to normal life

People

individual psychological advice

time to recover, getting distance from the disaster

small meetings with exchange of personal experience

 

Collection

restoring

replacement of lost, severely damaged or stolen objects

 

Building

drying

detoxifying

renovation

safer (new) rooms for objects

new equipment

 

Exhibition

provisional reopening (as soon as possible; foto exhibition)

new displays etc

main reopening

   
8)  Evaluation
Analysis

 

Conference

 

Publication

   
9)  Precautions
Prevention

measures

checklist for museums (see my German checklist “Prävention”)

 

Spreading information


print edition

 

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