General Resources

Disaster Response and Recovery Guides

If your home or institution has been impacted by a disaster, the following tip sheets, guides, and books can provide general support and information to assist with recovering your objects or collections. For specific help with fire or water damaged items, see our resources under those categories.

For further assistance:

Institutions may contact our National Heritage Responders 24/7 hotline at 202.661.8068 to speak with a conservator or collections specialist.

Individuals may reach us at NHRPublicHelpline@culturalheritage.org.

Not urgent? Contact us at emergencies@culturalheritage.org.

Image of Working with Emergency Responders Poster.

Guides and Tip Sheets

Emergency Preparedness and Response Wiki

Emergency! If You're First... (PDF) Download

Long Term Recovery Tip Sheet (PDF) Download

Collections Evacuation Tip Sheet (PDF) Download

Recovery Company Tip Sheet (PDF) Download

Working with Emergency Responders Booklet (PDF) Download

Working with Emergency Responders (Poster) Purchase

Photo of books in a stack.

Books

Field Guide to Emergency Response. Follow the award-winning Field Guide in its step-by-step instructions tailored to the scope of your emergency: what to do first, whom to call, how to prevent further damage.

Emergency Response and Salvage Wheel. The award-winning wheel has essential information to help you cope quickly and effectively when disaster strikes.

Working with Emergency Responders Poster provides advice to staff at museums, libraries, and archives on how to interact with responders before, during, and after an emergency.

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