The “Ready—Or Not”: Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project offers free emergency preparedness training to California organizations that care for cultural and historic collections—including archives, libraries, museums, and tribal nations. This statewide initiative runs through 2026.
Alongside the consultation opportunities, the project provides free training opportunities and resources to help you build resilience, reduce risks, and respond effectively when disaster strikes.
Training Opportunities
In-Person Wet Salvage Workshops
These hands-on workshops introduce key concepts of disaster planning, including risk assessment, preparedness, response procedures, and recovery actions. The workshops are ideal for reviewing key concepts or building new skills in a collaborative setting. Participants will:
- Work through two disaster scenarios with their peers (“tabletop exercises”)
- Practice wet salvage techniques
- Gain hands-on experience with preservation experts
The workshops are scheduled at locations throughout the state and are open only to participants working in California cultural organizations. Travel reimbursements are available.
Locations include Eureka, Fresno, Monterey, Palo Alto, Redlands, San Francisco, Santa Clarita, Upper Lake, and more.
Web Course for Emergency Preparedness & Wet Salvage
Can’t attend an in-person workshop? Join our free four-week class to learn the basics of emergency preparedness and response for collections. Sessions are taught online by experienced preservation consultants and address the same topics as our hands-on wet salvage workshops.
Our next course offerings are fall 2025 and spring 2026 (dates to be announced).
Emergency Preparedness Resources
Access to dPlan|ArtsReady
Organizations that participate in the “Ready—Or Not” project are eligible for a free one-year subscription to dPlan|ArtsReady, an online tool for risk assessment and emergency planning. The tool includes a series of modules that help an organization gauge their risk and readiness levels in nine critical areas, plan next steps, store critical documents, and print reports.
Stewards of cultural heritage collections in California can request a coupon code for a free one-year subscription. If you are already subscribed to dPlan|ArtsReady, you can use the code to extend your subscription for one more year.
Request a code by emailing LaShaunda Croussore, "Ready—Or Not" Project Assistant for Training Programs, at [email protected].
Pocket Response Resource
The “Ready—Or Not” team has customized the dPlan|ArtsReady Pocket Response Resource for California cultural resource institutions. The “PRR” is a concise emergency response resource that can be edited to fit your organization, then tucked in your pocket or stored on your device for immediate access.
RECORDED Information sessions
QUESTIONS?
Contact LaShaunda Croussore at [email protected] with additional questions.
WANT PROJECT UPDATES?
Email [email protected] to join the newsletter and follow the project on LinkedIn.
This project is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
