Emergency Preparedness, Part 2: Networking for Disaster Management in the Performing Arts,
In Fall 2019, LYRASIS presented a series of webinars introducing Emergency Preparedness to Performing Arts Organizations. California Community Theatre presents excerpts and takeaways from the webinars in this feature article series dedicated to emergency, safety and risk preparation.
LYRASIS creates and sustains technologies, services and programs that are uniquely designed to help libraries, archives, museums and research organizations access and share their vital collections, data and knowledge.
Networking for Disaster Management in the Performing Arts: How to consider, and take steps toward, working with a network of other organizations for disaster preparedness and management.
Organizations or individuals with diverse backgrounds but strong relationships, trust and goals can become an effective networking or support group. These groups can then help communicate, connect, coordinate and advocate during, before and after a crisis.
Disaster Management Sector: What Are the Larger Disaster Management Organizations?
Local OEM's (Office of Emergency Management)
State Agencies
FEMA
VOADs/COADs
Hospitals
Who Needs Networking and/or Support?
Individual artists
Organizations
What Type of Networking and/or Support is Needed?
Emotional
Financial
Property-related
QUICK TIP:
Assess Your Risks and Needs/Goals for a Network. Evaluate existing networks. Do you need to create your own, or does one exist? What is necessary (not jus your ideal scenario) for networking in your community, based on resources or geography or risk factors?
How Are Networking/Support Groups Started?
Intentional or Naturally Occurring
Formal or Informal
Can you create a partnership with other organizations to work together to implement shared or exchanged resources, such as:
Supply cache
Universal disaster plan response
Personnel resources
Space or location resources
QUICK TIP:
Grant funding does exist for these types of networking groups.
Steps to Implementing a Network and/or Support Group
Assemble the Group
Determine Who the Group Serves
When Will the Group Operate
The Group's Actions
Communication Plan
Statement of Purpose
Plan for Contingencies
Structure the Network (define membership)
Maintain the Network
QUICK TIP:
Build in provisions for personnel to change amongst the groups in your network and help ensure that momentum stays even when people leave.
