Is M prepared for disasters and extreme weather?

“The risks are only going to increase. And we need to be prepared.”

How can a museum prepare for disasters, extreme weather, and conflict situations? That is a question we also ask ourselves at M. Our Collection Manager, An Jacquemain, attended a training course on this topic last year.

In the meantime, she has been working on an emergency strategy for the museum. M is also actively joining forces with other heritage partners in Leuven: “In that, we are unique in Flanders.”

An Jacquemain: “In collection management, preventive conservation is crucial: ensuring the right temperature and humidity levels, limiting exposure to light, and so on. Preparing for emergencies is, in a sense, the same, but on a much larger scale. You protect the works for future generations and strengthen resilience within the cultural heritage sector.”

Stronger together

“Last summer, I completed an intensive training course through ICCROM, an international organization and UNESCO partner that supports countries in preserving their cultural heritage.”

“First, there were two weeks of online training, with a theoretical framework and exercises in risk analysis for the museum. Then came two weeks of practical training in Latvia, including large-scale simulations and stress tests.”

“Colleagues from all over Europe participated. The focus: how do you protect heritage collections from disasters? We’re talking about major catastrophes here, not something like a burst water pipe.”

“In our region, there are some very real threats, such as fire and flooding. But political crises can also have a tangible impact. It’s a topic that museums may have shied away from in the past, but you can sense that support for it is growing. Because of climate change, and because of what’s happening in the world, the risks will only continue to increase.”

“For absolute clarity: humanitarian needs always take precedence. No matter how valuable heritage may be, a human life carries greater weight.”

An Jacquemain tijdens de opleiding in Riga — © ICCROM

Unique in Flanders

“In the meantime, I’m fully engaged in the work. At M, we’ve already conducted a participatory exercise, carried out an in-depth risk analysis, and organized a drill with our internal crisis team. All of this is aimed at strengthening our resilience and preparedness.”

“But we’re going further. We hold quarterly consultations with the disaster network of the Heritage Lab. That’s a platform of Leuven-based heritage organizations: the Heritage Cell, M, KU Leuven, Park Abbey, the city archive… In 2021, all partners signed a declaration of intent to support one another during disasters, for example by exchanging expertise, jointly seeking emergency storage, sharing materials, and so on. That declaration is unique in Flanders. The disaster network plays a pioneering role in this.”

Participatieve oefening rond klimaatverandering in M Leuven — Foto: Marie Dreezen voor M Leuven

No access

“We are also planning consultations with the emergency services. For instance, we share our intervention plans with the fire brigade. You need to agree on procedures and understand each other’s ways of working. During my training, I spoke with a Latvian firefighter. She pointed out to me that firefighters work in a strictly hierarchical manner. They only do what their commander instructs them to do – understandably, as they are risking their lives. As a museum employee, you can’t simply ask a firefighter to carry a painting outside. That’s precisely why agreements must be made in advance.”

“Another thing I’ve learned: immediately after a disaster, there are other priorities. Extinguishing residual fires, ensuring the building’s stability, investigating the causes, and so on. It’s entirely possible that staff won’t be allowed into the museum for several days.”

“Fortunately, there are many examples that show good preparation truly works. During the fires in Los Angeles last year, the Getty Villa Museum was spared as a result. And during the Notre Dame fire in Paris, a great number of art objects were saved.”

Red Cross for heritage

“We also look beyond the Leuven level. For instance, we aim to share knowledge and expertise with Faro, the Flemish support centre for cultural heritage. Faro supported my training at ICCROM, together with Blue Shield Belgium. That’s an organization dedicated to rescuing endangered heritage, a kind of Red Cross for cultural heritage. For example, in 2021, during the floods in Wallonia, staff from M helped to re-inventory damaged works – a wonderful initiative. Let’s build on that and approach it structurally.”