The BC Heritage Emergency Response Network (BC HERN)  is excited to announce the following workshop:

 

Emergency Response and Salvage for Cultural Institutions 

Dates: Thursday, November 6th, & Friday, November 7th

Times: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Location: Musqueam Cultural Center, 4000 Musqueam Ave, Vancouver, BC V6N 3S2

Target Audience: Culture sector workers, keepers of cultural heritage, museum professionals and volunteers from settler-led or Indigenous organizations who have little to no training in responding to emergencies related to collections and cultural heritage

Enrolment Limit: 24

Cost: $125.00 Lunch inclusive. If registration cost is an obstacle to participation contact heidi@bchern.ca. No fee for Indigenous institutions

Wildfires, floods, and destructive storms are becoming common events, adding to the known risk of earthquakes. Our best line of defense is emergency preparedness, training and response. The British Columbia Heritage Emergency Response Network (BC HERN) is a growing consortium of institutions within the arts and culture sector whose staff feel morally and professionally obliged to safeguard the collections that they hold by adequately planning for emergency situations as well as to support others in the event of localized emergencies.

Join our team of experts for this 2-day hands-on workshop that provides training and guidance on emergency response and collections salvage (mixed and archival materials) and is targeted at museum/gallery professionals, keepers of cultural heritage, and volunteers from small cultural institutions with little to no training in responding to emergencies.

Workshop goals

  • Building confidence to engage emergency situations
  • Gaining skills in the salvage of museum and archival collections
  • Developing a supportive professional network by connecting with others in the region


Workshop agenda

Both workshop days will include coffee breaks and lunch, and time to get to know the BC HERN team and your fellow workshop participants.

You will learn about the anatomy of an emergency, explained through detailed scenarios to understand roles and responsibilities for your initial response. There will be demonstrations and theoretical presentations on health (physical and mental), safety, and salvage techniques for responders. Both workshop days will feature hands-on exercises to develop a response plan, learn to assess the situation and execute the salvage process. You will leave the workshop equipped with knowledge, practical experience, resources, and the tools to support the creation of your emergency plan and response team in your own institution.
 

Workshop Facilitators

Instructors from the BC HERN Steering Group

If you have any questions about this workshop or the BC HERN, please email Heidi Swierenga from the BC HERN Steering Group.


Be a leader in your community.

Register today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We gratefully acknowledge funding support of this workshop series from the Government of Canada.

 

BC HERN Workshop - Emergency Responce & Salvage for Cultural Institutions - Musqueam

Register Now

  • Thursday Nov 06 2025, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Friday Nov 07 2025, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • 4000 Musqueam Ave
    Vancouver, British Columbia
    Canada
    V6N 3S2