The following is an update on the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation's National Heritage Responder (NHR) activity in response to the fires around Los Angeles.
Our NHR team continues to monitor and respond to inquiries on our 24/7 hotline (202.661.8068) and to respond to individual requests from the public via our public helpline (NHRPublicHelpline@culturalheritage.org). Our volunteers have also begun to update our After the Fires series of webinars, originally created in the aftermath of the Lahaina fires. The first update is available on our YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/n74zCl0f7Nc). Additionally, we've shared our Tip Sheets and other resources to individuals and groups who are helping to disseminate this information widely. While we have not received any requests for active deployments, our NHRs local to the area are fielding questions and are in communication with colleagues.
As a reminder, it is our standard procedure to defer to the local Alliance for Response or other networks in a given area affected by disaster. Our team of volunteers is on standby and will respond as needed.
We have been in close contact with a couple of networks of museums, cultural institutions, and conservation professionals who are actively building resources in LA. We'd like to highlight the work of LA County Arts & Culture, Your Neighborhood Museum, Balboa Art Conservation Center, Site & Studio Conservation, Los Angeles Arts Conservation, and many individuals who are developing needs surveys, resources, and will be hosting Preservation Mutual Aid: For Fire and Water Damaged Artwork and Cherished Belongings on Instagram Live this Thursday, January 23rd and Saturday, January 25th.
------------------------------
Christina Cain
Emergency Programs Manager
American Institute for Conservation and Foundation for Advancement in Conservation
Washington, D.C.
202.661.8069
------------------------------