Federation of Australian Historical Societies

Disaster planning

All historical societies should consider how to protect their collections, buildings and people, and draw up a disaster plan which is appropriate to their particular circumstances.

“Be prepared – guidelines for small museums for writing a disaster preparedness plan” was published by the Heritage Collections Council in 2000. Whilst written for “small museums”, it is also relevant for historical societies, whether large or small. It contains a case study in disaster unpreparedness, and includes training needs, safety and damage checklists and templates based on established disaster plans.

“Be Prepared” can be downloaded in PDF format (461KB) using the above link. Alternatively, it can be accessed at the following site (which also includes further introductory material): http://www.collectionsaustralia.net.au/sector_info_item/2

Storing collections in high bushfire risk areas

The Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material has released an information sheet Storing collections in high bushfire risk areas, aimed at assisting individuals and those working with cultural collections to reduce the risks of fire when storing their precious possessions.

Since Black Saturday, we all recognise that fires of a catastrophic degree can cause damage on a scale previously unimagined. However, stories have emerged that some treasures did survive, even paper items. While not a guarantee that items will not suffer damage, minimising risk through the storage methods recommended in the information sheet may offer some hope for items that have to be left behind on evacuation.

If you are affected by fires, you should retain damaged keepsakes that are still recognisable, even if damaged and dirty, as they may be salvageable. Consult a conservator before you throw them away. Conservators can be contacted via the AICCM website or through state and national cultural institutions. The AICCM is the professional organisation for conservators in Australia.

The AICCM website contains further information about the handling and care of salvaged items, particularly those damaged by fire or water.

Blue Shield Australia

The Blue Shield is the symbol specified in the 1954 Hague Convention for marking cultural sites to give them protection from attack in the event of armed conflict. It is also the name of an international committee set up in 1996 to work to protect the world's cultural heritage threatened by disasters of all types.

The International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS) covers archives (including audio-visual archives), libraries, monuments and sites, and museums (including art museums and galleries). It brings together the knowledge, experience and international networks of the expert organisations dealing with cultural heritage: an unrivalled body of expertise which is now available to advise and assist in responding to events such as the war in Iraq, the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, and earthquake damage in Italy and China. The ICBS is international, independent and professional.

At a meeting held in Paris on 8 September 2005, the ICBS approved an application by the expert cultural heritage organisations in Australia to establish an Australian national committee, now called Blue Shield Australia.

The FAHS is an Associate member of Blue Shield Australia.