The building should be secured so that all doors close and lock and any broken windows are covered. If the building cannot be secured, it may be necessary to remove undamaged collections. All water-soaked items must be handled with extreme caution because they may not be able to support their own weight. Paper items should be placed in a freezer to await treatment and drying. Many water-damaged items will require specialized treatment.
Fire can devastate a historical society.
Assess your organization to develop safe procedures and a written fire plan. Adhere strictly to your fire safety procedures. Fire safety goes beyond conserving historic collections. It guards against a tragedy.