On 27 April, representatives from the Jena Emergency Network came together at the Jena Emergency Response Centre to gain a joint understanding of the possibilities of organized cultural heritage rescue. The meeting focussed on a tour of the cultural heritage protection vehicle and the associated equipment kits provided by the Free State of Thuringia as part of its unique state-wide emergency preparedness concept for cultural institutions. The programme was supplemented by a presentation of the emergency kits available at the Thuringian University and State Library (ThULB), which can be used immediately on site in the event of an emergency.

Emergency networks: Where theory and practice grow together

Work in emergency networks always takes place on two levels. Theoretically, concepts need to be developed, responsibilities clarified and processes planned—from the creation of institution-specific emergency plans to networking with authorities, fire brigades and other cultural institutions. In practice, however, cultural heritage protection means knowing what resources are available, how to use them, and how to act quickly and in a coordinated manner in the event of damage.

Today’s meeting united precisely these two dimensions. The participants—representatives of museums, archives, libraries and other cultural institutions from Jena and the region—were not only able to discuss concepts and structures, but also to experience first-hand what is available in an emergency.

Frank Liebermann, fire officer and responsible for emergency preparation at the Jena Fire Brigade, emphasized the indispensable role of binding planning principles: ?In an emergency, a well-prepared contingency plan is not a bureaucratic document, but the basis that enables us, as emergency services, to act quickly and effectively—and ensures that cultural heritage is not sidelined in the process.?

Thuringia as a pioneer in a nationwide comparison

So far, Thuringia is the only federal state to address the issue of emergency preparedness for cultural institutions so comprehensively and systematically. The concept developed by the Thuringia Cultural Council together with the State Chancellery, the Ministry of the Interior, the Thuringia Museum Association, the State Archives and other partners is based on three pillars: the provision of a material basis by the Free State, the establishment of a nationwide network of local emergency associations through targeted training courses and the appointment of a specialized fire brigade as the point of contact for cultural property protection for other fire brigades in the state.

?The focus on preparing cultural institutions for the event of damage is not a new one—it is being pursued at various levels both in Germany and worldwide. Thuringia, however, is the first federal state to tackle this issue in such a comprehensive manner. Our aim is to improve the resources and opportunities available to all cultural institutions, regardless of whether they are museums, archives or libraries. We do not want to reinvent the wheel here—best practice and long-standing experience form the basis on which we are building, bringing these elements together in a targeted manner,? says Ralf Seeber, expert advisor for emergency networks at the Thuringia Cultural Council, placing the Thuringian approach within a broader context.

Jena Fire Brigade as a reliable partner

At today’s meeting, the cooperation with the Jena Fire Brigade made it clear how important institutional networking is for the practical protection of cultural assets. The cultural heritage protection vehicle, which can be deployed to cultural institutions in the region in the event of an emergency, and the associated equipment kits—including materials for the recovery, stabilitzation and initial care of cultural heritage—were expertly presented and explained. The range of equipment and the concept behind it impressively demonstrated how far the issue of cultural heritage protection extends beyond mere firefighting.

As Collections Coordinator at the University of Jena, Tobias Mühlenbruch points out the special challenges that arise from the diversity of the collections to be protected: ?Archives, libraries, university collections and museums house an extraordinarily heterogeneous spectrum of objects—from fragile manuscripts and scientific specimens to large-format works of art. This diversity presents us with very different challenges when it comes to prioritizing and acting correctly in the event of damage.?

Customized solution: the emergency kit

The presentation of an emergency kit specially designed for use in libraries and archives also attracted considerable interest. These compact kits, which are stored on-site, enable staff at these institutions to take immediate initial protective measures in the event of damage—for example in the event of water damage—even before specialist emergency services arrive. The emergency kits thus bridge a crucial gap between the occurrence of an incident and the start of professional recover operations.

Andreas Christoph from the Thuringian University and State Library emphasizes that emergency preparedness is not a one-off project, but an ongoing process: ?We document our collections both in analogue and digital form—but it is crucial that this documentation is regularly updated. Only then will we actually know, in an emergency, what is where, what condition it is in and how it needs to be recovered.?

Working together for cultural heritage

The meeting at the Jena Emergency Response Centre served as a prime example of what emergency response networks can achieve: They foster trust, build networks and turn abstract emergency plans into practical reality. The close cooperation between cultural institutions, the Thuringia Cultural Council and the Jena Fire Brigade demonstrated just how fruitful corss-departmental collaboration can be for the protection of cultural heritage.

Further information on emergency preparedness for cultural institutions in Thuringia, on the emergency networks, and on the equipment kits and the cultural heritage protection vehicle can be found at: www.kulturrat-thueringen.de/de/notfallvorsorge-fuer-kultureinrichtungen.htmlExternal link (German only).