The International Council on Archives (ICA) is thrilled to announce the release of “Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness: A Manual for Protecting Archives,” a comprehensive guide authored by Margaret Crockett and Emilie Gagnet Leumas. This essential manual is designed for professionals responsible for safeguarding archival materials, personnel, and facilities, regardless of the institution’s size or structure. It is also intended to be useful for anyone wishing to learn more about Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness for archives.
According to its authors,
There is a lot to consider when planning for disaster preparedness and response and it must be approached as a project. Archivists should think about and work through all the elements to plan immediate actions to prevent, mitigate and prepare for disaster, as well as to make provision for people, equipment and procedures to deal with disasters when they occur.
This manual equips archive professionals with practical tools and resources to assess their preparedness and create a customized Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness (EMDP) plan. Topics covered include disaster prevention, mitigation, staff and volunteer training, and efficient resource management to respond to emergencies effectively. The EMDP manual serves as a central resource, empowering archivists to develop detailed protocols, policies, and contingency plans essential for safeguarding valuable collections against potential disasters.
Interleaving wet records after 2005 Hurricane Katrina. (Photograph: Emilie Gagnet Leumas)
To learn more about the manual and access additional resources on emergency management for archives, please visit the ICA’s Online Resource Centre.
This valuable resource supports the mission of the ICA’s Expert Group on Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness (ICA/EGEMDP), which is committed to assisting archives globally through proactive crisis planning and support. For more details on EGEMDP’s work in helping archives navigate crisis planning and response, click the button below.
