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December 17, 2025

Heritage Emergency National Task Force

  The Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), a public-private partnership between FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution, is supporting response and recovery efforts of Washington’s arts & culture sector – and the public.  Cultural institutions and arts organizations affected by the flooding can call the National Heritage Responders hotline: 202.661.8068.  The National Heritage Responders, a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance.   

• Members of the public who have questions about saving family heirlooms can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org   
• HENTF’s Save Your Family Treasures guidance is available at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/recover/save-family-treasures. Here you can find the downloadable FEMA fact sheets “After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures” and “Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Heirlooms,” available in multiple languages. 
• Fill out one of the following Rapid Damage Assessment Forms: The information goes directly to the Heritage National Task Force. This is not managed by DAHP. 
  1. Cultural Institutions 
  2. Arts Organizations 
  3. Individual Artists and Performing Groups

  Please note, this is a national program, not managed by DAHP.