Records Emergency Information
Federal Agencies
Emergency preparedness minimizes damage from any emergency, whether a small scale building problem or a catastrophic natural disaster. When an emergency does occur, effective response and recovery actions are necessary to salvage and preserve as many Federal records as possible.
The links on this page will assist Federal records managers in preparing for, responding to and recovering from an emergency. Links are also provided for Federal records management assistance, laws and regulations concerning damaged records, and information on records management during disasters.
Records Management
Archival resources to use during a records emergency.
- Delegation of Authority to Destroy Contaminated Records
- Contacts for Federal Agency Appraisal and Scheduling work Groups
- Hurricane Information for Federal Agencies and Courts
Prepare
Prepare in advance so damage to records can be prevented. When records are damaged, response and recovery techniques will limit damage and allow more records to be saved.
- Vital Records and Records Disaster Mitigation and Recovery: An Instructional Guide
- Salvage Operations for Water Damaged Archival Collections: A Second Glance
- Emergency Response Training
- Fire Prevention
- Lessons Learned in Emergencies
- Special Challenges (Fire and Fire Suppression)
Respond and Recover
Respond as soon as it is safe to enter the area after an emergency and Recover records or cultural property damaged by the emergency.
Immediate Response
Paper
Photographs and Film
Magnetic Media, Audio and Video
Artifacts
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