FOCP launches digital tool for emergency plans to protect cultural assets
The FOCP is publishing a new digital tool that institutions can use to create emergency plans for the protection of cultural assets - modular, simple and with a focus on evacuation, alerting and crisis organization.
The Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) has published a new digital template for emergency plans. The aim is to help museums, archives, libraries, parishes and other institutions to better protect cultural assets in the event of a crisis. Cultural assets are not only of artistic and historical value, but also create identity - and can be just as threatened in emergencies as critical infrastructure, for example by water or fire damage. Cultural heritage is also frequently targeted in armed conflicts.
Responsibilities defined
In particular, an emergency plan should regulate the procedure in the event of an evacuation. This includes setting priorities in advance: Which properties need to be secured or evacuated first in the event of an incident? In addition, roles and responsibilities of personnel are defined and important information is provided for emergency organizations such as the fire department or civil defence. The FOCP encourages all those responsible to draw up such an emergency plan and is now providing a standardized tool for this purpose.
The template was developed on behalf of the Federal Commission for the Protection of Cultural Property (EKKGS) together with a specialist working group. It has a modular structure and is available as a website. Each module contains an interactive PDF template, instructions, a completed example and additional assistance. The modules include a risk analysis, an alarm scheme, emergency contacts, the organization of a crisis team and locations and lists of priority objects.
Training courses planned
Institutions can compile their emergency plan individually according to their needs, omitting or adding modules. The tool is deliberately designed to be simple so that it can be used without in-depth prior knowledge. The FOCP is also planning to offer training courses on its use over the course of the year.
At the same time, the Federal Office points out that an emergency plan alone is not enough: It must be regularly updated and, above all, practiced. Effective protection of cultural property requires well-trained specialists and close cooperation with the emergency services.
Source: babs.admin.ch
