IMALERT
Emergency preparedness and response support for Iowa’s museums, archives, libraries, and cultural heritage institutions.
What is IMALERT?
The Iowa Museums, Archives, and Libraries Emergency Response Team (IMALERT) supports cultural heritage institutions in responding to emergencies that threaten collections and historic materials.
MISSION
The mission of the Iowa Museums, Archives, and Libraries Emergency Response Team (IMALERT) is to respond to the needs of cultural institutions during emergencies and disasters through coordinated efforts with first responders, state and local agencies, vendors, and the public.
GOALS
Assess damage to collection materials, make recommendations for collection recovery, assist with decisions on drying out buildings, demonstrate salvage techniques, and/or initial organization of salvage operations.
IMALERT Hotline:
Iowa Museums, Archives, and Libraries Emergency Response Team (IMALERT) provides a hotline service to cultural institutions experiencing an emergency or disaster. The IMALERT Hotline can connect staff with the information and expertise needed to respond to and recover from incidents of any level, from a leaking pipe to a major flood.
IMALERT will coordinate with first responders, state and local agencies, and vendors to provide disaster assistance to affected institutions and their collections. Through the team’s vast experience in conservation, preservation, and emergency response and recovery, help is available to:
Assess damage to collection materials
Make recommendations for recovery
Assist with decision-making on drying out buildings
Demonstrate salvage techniques and/or help organize the initial salvage operation