Dan Wilson is the former coordinator for the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). In that role, coordinated a national NNLM emergency preparedness & response plan and facilitated several emergency preparedness & response summit meetings th
Always Ready
Disaster Planning for Libraries
Threats
- Earthquake RisksMap of earthquake risks from the USGS.
- Homeland Threat AssessmentHomeland Threat Assessment (HTA), draws upon all sources of information and expertise available to the Department of Homeland Security, including from intelligence, law enforcement, and our operational Components.
- National Weather SituationCurrent weather alerts across the United States.
- Tornado TracksMap of all tornadoes that hit the US from 1950 - 2023.
Training
Creating a One-Page Disaster Plan (This webinar defines and describes continuity of operations (COOP) planning and why it is important for libraries to have a continuity plan in case of emergencies.)
IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100 (History, features, principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System.)
IS-700.B: Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS): The National Incident Management System defines the comprehensive approach guiding the whole community - all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and the private sector - to work together seamlessly to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the effects of incidents
A Seat at the Table: Working with the Disaster Workforce (This course prepares librarians on how to work with first responders, including public safety, fire/rescue, public health department, local health care facilities, and emergency planners.)
Inspiration
Volunteer
- American Red CrossThe ARC offers a variety of disaster-related volunteer opportunities.
- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)CERT provides training in volunteer management and basic disaster response skills, equipping individuals with knowledge about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area.
- Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals, as well as other community members without healthcare backgrounds. MRC units engage these volunteers to strengthen public health, improve emergency response capabilities, and build community resiliency.
- National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD)VOAD helps to coordinate partner agencies in a disaster. Link leads to a list of member agencies.
Tools
- An Always Ready LibraryList of 10 elements of an always ready library.
- One Page COOPThis one page continuity of operations plan (COOP) can be downloaded and adapted for any library setting. The PReP from the Council of State Archivists (CoSA) was the original source for this plan.
Dan's Biography
Dan is the Deputy Director at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Library. He was the Coordinator for the National Network/Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) National Emergency Preparedness & Response Initiative from 2007 to 2016, when he facilitated training programs and engagement opportunities around emergency preparedness for libraries, communities, CBHOs, and emergency planners. Dan has worked with state library agencies in South Carolina, New Jersey, Montana, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia.
Dan is a co-author of the book, Library as Safe Haven: Disaster Planning, Response, and Recovery. Excerpts from one of his chapters was featured in the July 2020 issue of American Libraries. In addition, he was the creator of the National Library of Medicine CE course, In Case of Emergencies: Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planning.
