On Wednesday, 17 September at 16:00–17:30 CET (Paris time), the Section of Local, Municipal and Territorial Archives (SLMT) is pleased to host a webinar with Dr Emilie Gagnet Leumas to present the International Council on Archives’ recently published workbook Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness: A Manual for Protecting Archives.
This session brings together ICA members and archivists from across the globe—particularly colleagues working in local, municipal, and territorial archives—to explore this essential resource, strengthen preparedness, and exchange knowledge on resilience in the archival sector.
More information on the manual and the speaker can be found below.
KEY INFORMATION
Date
Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Time
16:00–17:30 CET (Paris time). To confirm the date/time of this session in your time zone, please use the following link.
Location
Online
Language
English
Date
Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Time
16:00–17:30 CET (Paris time). To confirm the date/time of this session in your time zone, please use the following link.
Location
Online
Language
English
About the Publication
Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness: A Manual for Protecting Archives is a comprehensive guide designed as a single point of reference for safeguarding archives.
The manual addresses:
- The value of disaster planning and proactive preparedness
- The impact of disasters on archives and documentary heritage
- Prevention, mitigation, and risk management
- Formation of disaster response teams and collaboration with volunteers
- Protecting vital records and ensuring adequate funding and insurance
- Designing building plans and disaster supply kits
- Response strategies, damage assessments, and salvage operations
- Recovery, temporary storage, and rehabilitation of collections
- Returning to normal operations
Speaker
Dr Emilie Gagnet Leumas, PhD
Certified archivist, certified records manager, and Fellow of the Society of American Archivists, Dr Leumas has over 25 years of experience in archives and records management. She is an adjunct professor at Louisiana State University, teaching Records Management, E-Discovery, and Cultural Heritage.
Her leadership roles include chairing the ICA Expert Group on Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness, serving on the boards of Blue Shield International and the United States Committee of the Blue Shield. Dr Leumas has been internationally recognised for her disaster recovery work following Hurricane Katrina and has extensive experience in training, consultancy, and publications.
Her recent book, Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness: A Manual for Protecting Archives (ICA, 2024), co-authored with Margaret Crockett, received the 2025 Society of American Archivists Preservation Publication Award.
Moderator
Dr Paolo Cecconi
Dr Paolo Cecconi has been the Director of Chemnitz City Archives since 2017. He has served as a board member of the Saxonian Association of Archivists since 2019, and since 2021, he has been a board member of the ICA/SLMT and chair of the Task Force on Archives in the Saxonian Council of Cities. Since 2022, he has also been a board member of the German Association of Archivists and a delegate for Blue Shield Germany. In 2023, he became a member of the ICA Expert Group on Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness, and in 2024, he was appointed Vice-Chair of SLMT as well as an authorised expert for the reform of archival professional education in Germany.
