READY, WILLING, & ENABLED
Disaster Preparedness & Response for Libraries
Fall Workshops, October 2, 2015Joann Flick, Montana State Library Robin Suzor, MT Department of Public Health & Human Services: Emergency Medical Services for Children Program
Burlington County Library, Evesham branch, NJ – after Hurricane Sandy
Are you ready?
Paris Library, 1910
How did you do?
Wasatch Front Regional Council, photo: Farmington,
Utah
A disaster is any event that overwhelms local resources…
NY Public Library, 1948
What if…
Missoula Public Library
Library’s role?
Table top exercise: 15 minutes Divide into groups of 3-6 persons each Packet:
Scenario – what happened, who needs help Map Community resources
Decide how your library will respond: Immediately Within the first hour Within the first day, second day, third day…
A case study
Hurricane Sandy & NJ Libraries
Any public library that does not embrace its role as a disaster recovery center in the event of an emergency represents a lost opportunity to provide an essential service to the community – NJ State Library
Ports in a Storm – NJ Public Library presentation 2013
First Responders – Second Responders
Ports in a Storm – NJ Public Library presentation 2013
Library = Safe haven
Treasures
Hurricane Sandy – lessons learned Have a disaster response plan that is updated
annually: Work with your county emergency planner Write a one-page continuity of service plan – review that
twice per year Create a response-continuity team
Know shelter locations/resources Communications plan Specific resources/services your library can provide Keep your website/social media accessible Prioritized list for recovery of valuable & hard-t0-replace
materials in your collection Agreement in place with Belfor, BMS or Munters
Hurricane Sandy – lessons learned
Prepare & train staff At least one evacuation drill per year
Follow with a staff-wide assessment Include a table-top exercise
Know how to contact staff in an emergency; have them connect with the library as soon as they can
WESPAS – document-book recovery training
Prepare your facility Be sure your library is in line to get power and Internet access
restored ASAP Stock up – have an emergency kit ready Know your facility weaknesses – address them Mutual Aid agreements with other libraries
Hurricane Sandy – lessons learned Prepare your community
Provide information on disaster planning in your community; help promote disaster preparedness September is disaster preparedness month October is fire safety month
Partner with First Responders and emergency planners in your area
Host/attend a CERT training
Pediatric issues during a disaster Temporary safe have Resources to other shelters in the
community: books, toys, programs Temporary vs. Long Term shelter
procedures The role of local authorities Red Cross & FEMA
Pediatric issues during a disaster Unaccompanied minors
Disaster response laws/regulations go into effect during an emergency
Immediately: get an account of what children are at your library; keep track of every single kid
Reunification procedures Tracking & reporting
YOUR STATE LIBRARY
What more should the MSL be doing to help libraries prepare and respond to an emergency?
“Lolo was experiencing terrible fires with evacuations. People came to the library to find out the latest information on the situation, were able to use the computers to notify friends and family and I extended the hours to accommodate these folks and help them find community resources. It felt good to be able to help and the community was truly thankful that the library was available to help them through this trying time.”
…Erin Casey, Lolo Branch LibraryLolo 2014 wildfire
Photo: Missoulian