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You can see how your salvage team benefits from being an integral part of the incident command structure. It maximises resources and even allows multiple salvage sectors to be formed, so that objects can be removed from separate locations simultaneously.
Recovery coordinator
As soon as possible, someone from the salvage team needs to take on a second important role: that of recovery coordinator. Again, anyone with training can undertake this role at the start, but it is best served by a trained conservator. Removing items is only the start of the process. You have rescued your precious paintings – now what? Where are you going to put them? It would be a pity to save them from a fire only to have them dumped outside in the pouring rain. A progressive evacuation is a good idea. If
your building has fire breaks, move objects from the compartment of fire to an adjacent one. If the fire cannot be controlled, you must be prepared to remove the items from the building completely. This is a wet and windy country – you will need to protect a painting from the elements. In extremis, firefighters might lash some tarpaulins between two fire appliances to create a rudimentary tent. If nothing else, ensure you have a stock of plastic sheets to place on the ground and cover items, once outside.
As objects arrive, the recovery coordinator must ensure that a triage process is carried out.
FOCUS
A combined salvage team studies a priority plan: head lamps are essential in dark conditions (Credit: Terry Crowdy).
Segregate wet objects from dry ones and be careful of segregating items covered in soot. Try to keep the pieces of damaged objects together. As conservators become available, begin first aid treatments on the objects that have been damaged. This is a specialist skill, but you can produce crib sheets with the most basic information on what to do with wet books, waterlogged tapestries or even suits of armour. It is clear why a recovery coordinator is needed in addition to the salvage coordinator – you cannot be in two places at once. Then, as the incident stabilises, some strategic thinking is necessary. HRP’s major incident plan describes the role of a collections lead as follows: a senior conservator who takes an overview, considers the next steps – where the collections will go, how they will be transported and if specialist organisations or consultants are required – and critically, begins inventory control and contacts lenders.
Salvage team
London Fire Brigade secures water from the River Thames in an exercise at Hampton Court Palace (Credit: Terry Crowdy).
What makes a good salvage team? A dedicated team leader responsible for recruitment, training and administration, and volunteer salvagers over 18 years’ old, reasonably fit and living near to the palace. Not all our salvagers work for HRP by day, but we cover them all with a contract for insurance purposes. The teams meet monthly after work (a small sum is paid to cover their expenses).
www.frmjournal.com JUNE 2019 49
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