1 Ortiz, joan O.

Calamity

While fires, floods, and earthquakes pose significant threats to historic and cultural properties in
California, many other natural and man-made disasters also have the potential to damage or destroy property
within the state. Knowing the potential risks, anticipating them, and being properly prepared before, during,
and after a disaster could mean the difference between the total loss of a resource and limiting or eliminating
the resulting damage.

Essential preparedness planning and mitigation are key factors in ensuring that historic properties are properly
identified, evaluated, and treated immediately after a disaster occurs and in the recovery period
afterwards. While disasters may be unpredictable, important steps can be taken before a disaster occurs to
minimize the threat of damage. Disaster preparedness is everyones responsibility.

Although it is important for local governments and jurisdictions to implement planning and mitigation
measures before a disaster or emergency occurs, many of these measures should also be implemented
proactively by local communities or neighborhood organizations or by individual owners of historic
properties.

BE PREPARED
Compile a list of key emergency contacts, determine which agency or what person is responsible for what
activities and make the information widely available. Maintain adequate emergency supplies.
GET TRAINED
With proper training and knowing what to do in the event of a disaster, emergency responders will be
prepared to assist their neighbors and help protect lives and property.
IDENTIFY, EVALUATE AND DOCUMENT RESOURCES
In spite of the number of resources listed in the California or National Registers, many of California's
significant historic and cultural resources have yet to be identified and evaluated. Local surveys are vitally
important for disaster preparedness planning.
REGISTER QUALIFIED RESOURCES
The pre-disaster listing in or a determination of eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic
Places will streamline the environmental and historic preservation review process in the event of any disaster
undertaking on the property. This pre-disaster determination may be crucial in how the resource is treated
when significant damage is incurred as the result of a disaster. Prior listing or determination will provide pre-
disaster documentation of the qualified historic property to ensure a proper evaluation in any regulatory
process impacting the resource, including the factoring of potential repair costs.
All resources listed in or determined eligible for the National Register are automatically included in
the California Register of Historic Resources.
Resources listed in or determined eligible for the California Register qualify for a variety of preservation
incentives.
PREPARE EMERGENCY PRESERVATION AND RECOVERY PLANS
Assess vulnerability and determine risks.
Perform pre-disaster rehabilitation and mitigation work, such as seismic retrofits or flood controls, to reduce
potential impacts to historic properties.
Set aside funds, adopt disaster ordinances, and develop strategies and incentive programs to facilitate
recovery efforts.
INTEGRATE PRESERVATION PLANNING WITH GENERAL PLANNING
Incorporate preservation planning into general, specific, downtown, redevelopment, etc. plans; planning and
zoning regulations, and design guidelines.
Develop local incentive programs to facilitate protection of historic resources.