"Ready—Or Not": Free Training Opportunities

> Landslides and Mudslides

Landslides and mudslides can quickly disrupt access to and from your institution, often causing road closures and other hazards. These events are typically triggered by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, or seismic activity that weakens the stability of a slope. While they can occur with little warning, there are early signs you can watch for:

• Increased rainfall or prolonged wet weather

• Cracks forming in the ground

• Tilting trees or utility poles

• Noticeable loss of vegetation

Staying alert to these indicators can help your institution prepare and respond before a landslide or mudslide causes serious damage.

> Wildfires

Whether you are a museum, library, archive, special collections, or cultural center, it is essential to be aware of your risks during wildfires. Here are some things you can do to prepare for wildfires in your area, courtesy of the “Ready—Or Not” project:

1. Assess
   - Confirm your level of risk for wildfire by researching your local and regional resources. Various city, county, state, and federal resources are readily available for public use.
   
   
2. Document
   - Develop the necessary disaster plans, pocket plans, evacuation plans, agreements, priority lists, and memoranda of understanding to ensure you and your staff are well-prepared. Secure your vital documents, financial records, and insurance information in an accessible location.
   
3. Fortify
   - Given your risk level and space around your structure, establish a defensible space to "harden" your grounds and area. This can include steps like trimming tree branches that overhang your building, removing combustible vegetation closest to the building, and ensuring your building complies with local fire safety codes.
   
   
4. Drill
   - Ensure staff are familiar with the proper procedures for evacuating materials and personnel from the approaching blaze. Have your local fire department assist in your drills and acquire training in the use of fire extinguishers.
   
   

If you haven’t yet, consider assessing your risk for wildfires by participating in a “Ready—Or Not” project emergency preparedness assessment! By participating in the project, a consultant can help identify your specific risks and offer your organization recommendations to mitigate wildfire risks to your collections.

> Fault Lines

California faces frequent seismic activity, with areas like Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Kern, San Francisco, and Contra Costa being some of the standouts. The "Ready—Or Not" team has been working with communities to strengthen emergency preparedness, encouraging participation in or forming readiness response networks—especially in remote and rural regions. Each county has an Emergency Management Office that lists local emergency responders and provides tips for businesses and homes. You can also participate in the annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills as another way to maintain earthquake readiness.

The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills help people in homes, schools, and organizations worldwide improve preparedness and practice how to be safe during earthquakes.

> Water Damage

September 1 marks the start of National Preparedness Month, an important reminder that disasters like atmospheric rivers, flooding, and building leaks pose serious risks to historic and cultural collections in California.

Through the "Ready—Or Not" Project, many museums, libraries, archives, and historical societies have taken simple but effective steps to reduce the risk of water damage, including:

• Elevating collections storage off the floor to prevent flood damage
• Tracking leak locations to better monitor problem areas
• Purchasing emergency supplies such as drip diverters and water sensor alarms

These small changes have had a big impact on collection safety and disaster preparedness.

If your organization hasn’t yet, consider scheduling a "Ready—Or Not" emergency preparedness assessment. These free assessments help identify your institution’s unique risks and provide customized recommendations to protect your collections from water incidents and other hazards.

> Sarika Ramaswamy

Emergencies such as flooding, burst pipes, roof leaks, or water from fire suppression can quickly put collections at risk—making wet salvage skills essential for anyone responsible for cultural materials.

The #ReadyOrNotCA team was honored to host a Wet Salvage Workshop in Upper Lake, CA, thanks to the generous hospitality of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake. Staff and volunteers from tribal nations, historical societies, museums, and historic homes across Lake County, Sacramento County, Mendocino County, and Sonoma County to learn hands-on recovery techniques for water-damaged collections.

"These workshops are a unique way for cultural heritage communities in a specific region to come together and foster regional mutual aid networks. Each region has specific resources, collections, and emergency preparedness concerns, so it was wonderful to have this opportunity for cultural heritage professionals in Lake County and the surrounding regions to gather and exchange information." - Sarika Ramaswamy, Emergency Preparedness Consultant

> Megan Dirickson

Based in San Diego, Megan Dirickson brings her expertise in archives and preservation to the “

Ready—Or Not” Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project. Originally from Texas, she’s new to California and eager to explore the state’s remarkable range of environments—from its sunny coastlines to the towering redwood forests of the north. “Almost everywhere in California feels new to me,” she shared. “Coming from warmer climates, I’ve especially loved visiting the northern parts of California and experiencing the redwoods.”

One of the most rewarding aspects of Dirickson’s work has been leading in-person Wet Salvage Workshops. “It’s so much fun to teach these workshops and hear the creative, practical ideas that come from each group,” she said. “I’m thrilled to think about how many people we’ll reach with this training by next year.”

For Dirickson, her niche focus on emergency preparedness and disaster planning has proven to be both dynamic and inspiring. “There’s always something new to learn and new connections to make. I’m constantly impressed by the dedication of people who show up wanting to improve the ways they care for their communities’ collections.”

From her new home in San Diego to institutions across California, Dirickson is proud to help cultural stewards prepare for the unexpected—ensuring that the collections they care for, and the stories they preserve, remain safe for generations to come.