|
Support to the Smithsonian Institution Disaster
Management Program: DMPlanner
Problem Statement and Objectives
Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) developed a comprehensive disaster management program for the Smithsonian Institution which included:
- Composite Risk Assessment of all 28 Smithsonian Units
- Development of Smithsonian’s Disaster Management Master Plan
- Preparation of unit plans for three primary museums: the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of Natural History
- Creation of disaster management planning software, DM-Planner, for 28 Smithsonian Units
- Classroom training and tabletop exercises
Results and Benefits
ARA developed a Disaster Management Master Plan for the Smithsonian that covered preparedness, response, and recovery phases and included an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) layout, EOC organizational chart, duties and responsibilities of the EOC team, team member names and phone numbers, emergency communications, and resources. Specific emergency response instructions were provided for events including: explosions, fires, chemical, biological, or radiological hazards, weather related emergencies, civil disturbances, and communications or power failures. A key component of developing the disaster management master plan was a review of emergency evacuation procedures to support security operations and/or emergency situations and collection requirements during disaster response as well as short, intermediate and long-term recovery procedures. The master plan provided the framework for creating disaster management plans at the unit level. Based on extensive interviews and close contact with museum personnel, ARA determined the Smithsonian’s current organization, collections and emergency procedures, prioritization of critical assets and functions and developed emergency response requirements of the facility for employees, visitors, and collections.
|
Showcase Projects
|
