AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION—
COLLECTIONS EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

Rapid Response Team for Cultural Institutions

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of AIC-CERT is to respond to the needs of cultural institutions during emergencies and disasters through coordinated efforts with first responders, state agencies, vendors and the public.

The American Institute for Conservation received funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in 2007 to support an advanced training program for conservators and other museum professionals that resulted in a force of 60 “rapid responders” trained to assess damage and initiate salvage of cultural collections after a disaster has occurred.

The participants were selected to bring expertise in a variety of specialties and were trained to a high level in emergency response procedures, damage assessment methods, salvage techniques, and the organization and management of a recovery operation.

BENEFITS
Many of America’s cultural institutions are administered by volunteers or a single, full-time staff person. The Response Team will provide human resources and skills to these understaffed institutions in a time of need through phone support, damage assessments, and help with salvage organization.

Download the AIC-CERT brochure>>

For 24-hour assistance, call (202) 661-8068