From: "Rebecca DuBey" <curator@saukcountyhistory.org> Message-ID: <W601021575426551513363436@atl4webmail10> Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2017 18:43:56 +0000 Subject: Re: Medical Emergency Protocol
Hello Bill,
This would be included this as part of a Museums written Disaster Policy.
I have experienced several medical issues in museums, some with, and som
e without written policies in which the staff is trained, and have partic
ipated in writing a few policies. A good policy includes identifying: sta
ff with Emergency training; who stays on the phone with EMT personnel, wh
o flags the ambulance from the roadway, who gets them to the entryway, wh
o controls crowd, and who is charged as spokesperson (yes, this is import
ant!). This is essential for a museum of any size. As part of that policy
, it is a good idea to contact the Emergency services available in the to
wn/city just so they are aware of the Museums location, (we, for instance
, have two locations,) where to enter and evacuate a gurney, and other co
nsiderations unique to the building or site.
I worked in one museum where a signal was given over the P.A. and staff i
mmediately went to their positions; the actions of the staff saved a life
. In another situation, the Museum had no policy. Fifteen minutes into a
heart attack, it was discovered a staff member knew CPR. After the ambula
nce searched for an entry into the site, located the building, and finall
y found a door through which a gurney could enter, they were able to cont
inue CPR, but the patient did not survive.
Sections within the Disaster Policy would include response to and prepara
tion for emergencies such as internal and external fires (such as the wil
dfires in California) bad weather, tornadoes, and floods (both internal a
nd emmenant). It is important to include both staff and artifact evacuati
on, where staff might be found in case of building collapse, and what eme
rgency standing the institution has within the community. Cultural instit
utions often have immediate disaster mitigation available through fire de
partments, state patrols, national guard, and other emergency responders.
Immediate mitigation often includes sources available to remove collecti
ons as a preemptive measure, guarding damaged buildings susceptable to lo
oting, and other measures. To enable this kind of protection, a cultural
institution must register, have policies in place, and know when to ask f
or activation.
Having a written Disaster Policy is essential to every cultural organizat
ion, no matter what the size of the museum or its community. Staff and Bo
ard Members need to be trained in its activation and use. As with most el
ements essential to running a museum, it is not necessary for each museum
to reinvent the wheel. Professional organizations have sample policies
and procedures readily available. If your museum does not have a professi
onally trained staff, please contact me and I can put you in touch with r
esources you could use in writing your policy. I am also happy to help an
y museum with questions.
Rebecca DuBey
Curator, Sauk County Historical Society
Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913
-----Original Message-----
From: William Schuette [mailto:wschuette1@frontier.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2017 06:05 PM
To: 'List Serve'
Subject: Medical Emergency Protocol
What does your organization do if there is an in-house medical emergency for staff or visitors? Do you have a written emergency protocol for such events?Thanks,Bill