Building Resilience: Three Decades of Cultural Heritage Emergency Preparedness and Response in Georgia

Georgia is a geographically diverse state with a growing population. Its vast and varied natural, cultural, and historic (NCH) resources contribute significantly to the state’s economy, yet they are at risk of damage from disasters. The awareness of the need for emergency planning for NCH collections has grown over the past three decades. Federal funding has always played an important part in this effort even if the focus of training has evolved over the years. This need can only be met with support from State and Federal agencies, networking, and outreach beyond the urban centers in Georgia. Through research, interviews, and personal experience of the authors, this article is an account of efforts in Georgia to increase emergency response and planning training, grow participation in disaster networks, and foster relationships with local and state emergency professionals. As scientists predict the intensity and quantity of natural disasters to increase with the onset of climate change, the NCH community must continue efforts to raise awareness about the risks and potential consequences of failure and also leverage state resources to build a sustainable model for centralized funding and expertise for disaster planning and recovery.