VISION
We are prepared for and will successfully respond to emergencies affecting our collections.
MISSION
We build a strong alliance of cultural stewards and first responders
in the Capital Region and advocate for the protection of our collections.
VALUES
We are cultural resource advocates dedicated to serving those in need
in collaboration with emergency responders. We believe in universal access to collections in our trust.
New York is at high risk for natural disasters and emergencies. In 2018, New York State reported nearly 5,000 severe storms and flooding incidents. Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Saratoga counties have experienced 214 declared flooding events over the past 20 years, events that have wrecked havoc on our cultural heritage. Fires, some intentional, have destroyed libraries, town centers, parks, historic sites, residential and commercial properties, often leaving nothing for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
The Capital New York Alliance for Response, with a voluntary advisory board of area experts, works to build strong partnerships between cultural stewards and first responders in the Capital Region to help ensure the protection of our collections. We do this through advocacy, education, networking, and real-time emergency assistance. Capital NYAFR is dedicated to serving libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural organizations in the Capital District. Our goal is to improve disaster planning, response, and recovery efforts to minimize loss and damage to our historic sites and valued collections.
Committee Membership
The New York State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education currently coordinates the Planning Committee, whose members include:
Craig Carlson, Deputy County Clerk, Albany County Hall of Records
Stephen Conard, Emergency Management Coordinator, University at Albany
Donia Conn, Assistant Professor of Practice, Simmons University
John Diefenderfer, (Co-Chair) Archivist, Documentary Heritage Program, New York State Archives
Kathleen Gundrum, Executive Director, Capital District Library Council
Karen Kiorpes, (Co-Chair) Preservation Librarian, University at Albany
Samantha Mahoski, Curatorial Assistant/Outreach Coordinator, Hart Cluett Museum at Historic Rennselaer County
Sarah Schmidt, Director of Special Collections & Archives, Union College
Cher Schneider, Head of Conservation, NYS Office of Cultural Education
Kathy Sheehan, Registrar/Educator, Hart Cluett Museum at Historic Rennselaer County and County Historian
William Tobler, Retired Lt. AFD Chairman, Albany Firefighters Museum