To prepare your cultural institution for emergencies, take the following actions:

• Write or update a disaster plan that includes response for collections

• Make sure all staff know the first steps to take when an emergency arises

• Compile an up-to-date telephone list for staff, including home and cell numbers

• Be prepared to handle the most likely threats, based on the past history of the building and location

• Train staff in-house or by having them attend a disaster preparedness workshop

Risk Evaluation: First Step in Disaster Planning

Free webinar series on AIC/FAIC YouTube channel. By identifying the hazards that threaten your collections and assessing the risks they pose, you are taking the first step in disaster planning.

Risk Evaluation and Planning Program (REPP)

The Foundation for Advancement in Conservation’s (FAIC) REPP program was developed as a toolkit to help cultural institutions identify and prepare for risks to their site(s) using worksheets.

Fire Risk Management Guide: Protecting Cultural and Natural Heritage from Fire

UNESCO book publication, 2024. Free, open access, downloadable, or scrollable online.

Protecting Your Collections: Writing a Disaster Response Plan

Free webinar series on AIC/FAIC YouTube channel. Includes all the documents (pdfs) for each webinar, a link to each archived session, and a base set of template documents that can be downloaded and edited.

Pocket Response Resource and dPlan|Arts Ready

dPlan|ArtsReady is a subscription-based comprehensive online tool for disaster preparedness and response, designed with arts and cultural organizations in mind. 

Sample Pocket Response Plans (PReP) for collections

Council of State Archivist’s pocket response plan templates.

Colorado PReP template (Word download)

Exercising Your Disaster Response Plan

Free webinar on AIC/FAIC YouTube channel.

Fact Sheet on Art and Culture: Helping People Before, During and After Disasters(PDF)

2024 FEMA publication covering a variety of relevant topics. Additional resources listed at end of publication.

Response and Recovery Resources

The Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative and the Heritage Emergency Task Force (HENTF) provide extensive resource materials to help those in the U.S. and abroad be fully prepared for disaster risk management and emergency response.

Salvage at a Glance (PDF)

Detailed salvage procedures for treatment of many different types of cultural materials, developed by Betty Walsh. Use these together for quick reference determining what materials can be safely frozen to prevent additional damage. Consult a conservator whenever possible, especially with unique, rare or archival collections, for specific treatment options.

National Heritage Responders

National Heritage Responders (NHR) respond to the needs of cultural institutions and the public during emergencies and disasters through coordinated efforts with first responders, state agencies, vendors, and the public. NHR provides extensive guidance with guidance to help with collections evacuation, working with recovery companies, drying wet collections, mold, long term recovery, and more recovery-related subjects

After the Fire

Three AIC/FAIC YouTube videos on health & safety; object; and book and paper salvage after a fire.

Field Guide to Emergency Response

AIC/FAIC practical guide which includes forms and videos on emergency response.

How to find a conservator

AIC /FAIC site which provides a search function to be able to connect with a professional conservator (AIC members) by region and specialty, including for recovery in an emergency.

Records Emergencies

National Archives resources.

Emergency Preparedness for Museum Collections

National Park Service videos on YouTube.

Working with Recovery Vendors —An archived webinar

Webinar available to help with decision-making and resources.

Performing Arts Readiness

Performing Arts Readiness (PAR) supports a large variety of programs to help performing arts organizations and artists be prepared for emergencies and crises.

Colorado State Preservation Plan

History Colorado

State of Colorado Emergency Operations Plan

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM)

Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan (E-SHMP)

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

After the Disaster Guide Book‍ ‍

CSU Extension toolkit tailored for large, specific emergencies (linked example is Larimer County wildfire, 2024).

IS-100.B: Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS) (Free Online Training)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

IS-700.A: Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) (Free Online Training)
FEMA

IS-393.B: Introduction to Hazard Mitigation (Free Online Training)
FEMA

Emergency Support Function #11 – Protection of Natural & Cultural Resources and Historic Properties (ESF #11 NCH)
U.S. Department of the Interior

Natural and Cultural Resources Recovery Support Function
U.S. Department of the Interior

Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL)

Colorado State Archives

Colorado State Library (CDE)

Colorado Wyoming Association of Museums (CWAM)

History Colorado

Society of Rocky Mountain Archivists (SRMA)

Colorado Emergency Management blog (Daily Update) DHSEM

Colorado Resiliency Framework DOLA

Fire and Smoke Map AirNow and others

InciWeb Interagency all-risk incident information management system. Distinguishes between wildfire and controlled burns. Additional links for each incident.

Planning for Hazards:  Land Use Solutions for Colorado