Disaster Planning

Unfortunately, Alabama has seen its share of natural disasters. These include floods, which are the most common natural disaster in the United States, and tornadoes, which occur frequently throughout the state. Through those experiences, we have learned to prepare. The resources here, such as pocket plans, disaster templates, and links to organizations that have disaster planning resource tools, will help your agency plan for these disasters.

See the Council of State Archivists for training courses on Essential Records and Records Emergency Planning and Response. To set up this training, contact the Archives at 334-242-4452.

  • Pocket Response Plan (PReP) Templates
    Concise document for recording essential information needed by staff in case of a disaster or other emergency. Every person having a response-related assignment should carry a PReP with them at all times.
  • Continuity of Operations Planning
    FEMA defines COOP as “an effort…to ensure that Primary Mission Essential Functions (PMEFs) continue to be performed during a wide range of emergencies, including localized acts of nature, accidents, and technological or attack-related emergencies.”
  • Records Disaster Response Plan Templates & Guidance
    Developed by the Georgia Archives for use by any records, library, or archival facility.
  • Council of State Archivists Emergency Preparedness Training
    Emergency preparedness is critical for archives and records centers. COSA’s self-directed online courses help institutional users continue improvement of their preparedness and training programs.
  • Heritage Emergency National Task Force
    Drawing from our talented Smithsonian experts, from archaeologists to conservation scientists to collections managers, HENTC aims to create a place exclusively designed to protect cultural heritage and respond in times of disasters. This organization provides training opportunities.
  • Alabama Emergency Management Agency
    The “Be Ready” section has information for extreme heat, flooding, home fires, hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and wildfires.
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency
    FEMA provides information on how you can plan and prepare to protect your family, property, and community from natural and manmade disasters.