Sooner State News

Jennifer Frazee, director of Fort Gibson Historic Site and employee of the Oklahoma Historical Society, has successfully completed the Heritage Emergency and Response Training (HEART) program. The training took place from December 9 to 13, 2024, at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

The program was organized by the Heritage Emergency National Task Force. It aims to equip cultural stewards, first responders, and emergency managers with skills to manage emergencies and disasters impacting cultural institutions and historic sites. Participants engaged in hands-on training covering topics such as the Incident Command System, risk assessment, disaster planning, health and safety protocols, emergency evacuation procedures for museum objects, and media communication strategies.

A total of 25 participants were selected through a competitive nationwide application process. These individuals represented various museum specialties as well as library, archives, and emergency management fields from 19 states including Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the Marianas Islands.

The Heritage Emergency National Task Force is a collaborative effort between the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative and FEMA’s Office of Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation. Its membership includes over 60 federal agencies and national service organizations committed to safeguarding cultural heritage from natural disasters and other emergencies.

For further details about Fort Gibson Historic Site or the Oklahoma Historical Society's initiatives in preserving Oklahoma's history and culture, contact them at 918-478-4088 or visit their website at www.okhistory.org.