Kentucky AFR

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Kentucky Heritage Emergency Response Network (KHERN)

Mission statement: The Kentucky Heritage Emergency Response Network (KHERN) prevents and mitigates the loss of cultural resources in the event of disasters by serving as a state-wide emergency management resource. KHERN bridges national and state resources to local arts and culture organizations and artists by providing:

  • emergency management information and trainings before, during, and after a disaster;
  • holding network member and participant meetings and convenings; and
  • advocating for the importance of supporting arts and culture emergency management for the benefit of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Winter Storm Resources

As the winter storm that began on January 24 continues to impact Kentuckians, please review the following information:
What You Can Do To Help

Check In and Assess Damage - If you know of any cultural heritage or arts organizations, artists, musicians, etc., in need of emergency assistance, please encourage them to call the KHERN hotline (1-859-428-7810), email KHERN at help@khern.org, or help them complete the appropriate form below to request follow-up support. The rapid assessment forms below, created in partnership with our national partners at NCAPER and HENTF, help us quickly understand arts/cultural needs on the ground, so we can more effectively get assistance via KHERN's partners as well as federal, state, and local emergency management systems.
 

Share Resources - Please share the following resources with any KY communities in need: KHERN's resource page, our latest Facebook post, and the cost-free guides and resources below from our partners at HENTF (Heritage Emergency National Task Force). 

  1. Cultural institutions, arts organizations, and artists and performing groups affected by the winter storm can call the National Heritage Responders hotline: 202.661.8068. The National Heritage Responders, a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance.   
  2. Members of the public and individual artists who have questions about saving family heirlooms and personal collections can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org
  3. HENTF’s Save Your Family Treasures guidance is available at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/recover/save-family-treasures. Here you can find the downloadable FEMA fact sheets “After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures” and “Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Heirlooms,” available in multiple languages.  
  4. Were there any damages to archaeological sites, historic buildings, natural, or other cultural resources? HENTF is a supporting organization of the Emergency Support Function (ESF) #11, coordinated by the Department of the Interior (DOI). Through ESF #11, DOI supports natural and cultural resources during times of disaster on state, local, tribal, and territorial lands. Please contact errd_oepc@ios.doi.gov to determine if ESF #11 technical assistance is available and how to access it. Learn more about ESF #11 HERE

Leadership

Leah Hamilton

Melissa Bond

Arden Barnes

Ruth Bryan

Quick Links

Support Emergency Programs

Consider making a gift to support the National Heritage Responders and our emergency programs.


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