Disaster Strikes Jenny Evans Manager, Information Coordination Unit Department of Lands

Overview of Disaster Cause of disaster Cause of disaster Water removal from building Water removal from building Removal of damaged records Removal of damaged records Records drying Records drying Records return Records return Other issues & challenges Other issues & challenges Tips Tips

2003 Flood Flood 8/9 April 2003 Flood 8/9 April 2003 Fire alarms Fire alarms Loss of facilities Loss of facilities Staff sent home Staff sent home Enquired about potential damage to records? Enquired about potential damage to records?

Planning the Recovery – Part 1 Phoned by staff Phoned by staff Placed on standby by Senior Manager Placed on standby by Senior Manager Contacted State Records Contacted State Records –Senior Conservator Loss of all services to building Loss of all services to building Disaster preparedness plan? Disaster preparedness plan? TMF TMF

Planning the Recovery – Part 2 Assessment of disaster scene Assessment of disaster scene Inventory Inventory Priority for recovery Priority for recovery Waiting for water to be removed Waiting for water to be removed Establishment of services Establishment of services

Recovery Begins Teams of Workers Teams of Workers Protective clothing Protective clothing Teams of three Teams of three Stair walkers Stair walkers Water damage level Water damage level Wide range of paper and other media Wide range of paper and other media Swollen records and packaging issues Swollen records and packaging issues

Recovery Continues Size and water added to weight Size and water added to weight Make shift packaging Make shift packaging Removal difficulties Removal difficulties Estimate 50 tonne of water damaged records Estimate 50 tonne of water damaged records

Microform Microform Microform Advised freeze drying not appropriate Advised freeze drying not appropriate Assistance provided by Australian Museum Assistance provided by Australian Museum –Inventory –Boxed and refrigeration Atlab Australia dried microfilm Atlab Australia dried microfilm Drying of aperture cards Drying of aperture cards

Stabilising the Environment Stabilise environment Stabilise environment Inbound moisture Inbound moisture Low grade asbestos tiles Low grade asbestos tiles Cabinets jacked Cabinets jacked General cleaning General cleaning Replacement of cabinets etc Replacement of cabinets etc Remediation work Remediation work

Recovered Records Assessment of drying methods Assessment of drying methods Freeze drying selected for most records Freeze drying selected for most records Mould Mould –OHS issues –Inspection by State Records Senior Conservator –Consulted Chartered Loss Adjustor Records returned for Hepa vacuuming Records returned for Hepa vacuuming

Solution to Distance Melbourne Conservator engaged Melbourne Conservator engaged –Inspected sample of records –Visited drying facility –Oversee drying and regular inspection of records –Identification of records requiring other remediation work

Other Issues & Challenges Shipping containers Shipping containers –Delivery –Not freezing Drying timeframes Drying timeframes Polyester drafting film Polyester drafting film Temporary employees Temporary employees Problems may still arise! Problems may still arise!

Lessons and Tips Be prepared - DPP Be prepared - DPP Assess media Assess media Do not take no for an answer – hang around Do not take no for an answer – hang around Decision making team Decision making team TMF TMF Keep records in own State Keep records in own State Consult State Records Digital camera Disaster bins Oversee process Suggest establish disaster group

Questions