This form collects information similarly requested by the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), the National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER), and the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC) National Heritage Responders (NHR). The information gathered will help TX-CERA identify where assistance is sought, direct assistance where needed, understand critical needs, and coordinate response efforts with these national organizations.
TDEM Has Shared the Following Wildfire Resources:
Fire Fact Sheets & Safety Tips (Home Fire)
Wildfire / Soot Resources for Cultural Heritage:
NEDCC - Recommended Wildfire Resources for Cultural Heritage Organizations
NARA - Fire Safety Self Inspection Form for Cultural Institutions
SI - PRICE - Emergency Documentation
Chicora Foundation, Inc. - Protecting Your Institution From Wild Fires: Planning Not To Burn And Learning To Recover
TX-CERA - Soot Removal Resource
FEMA - After the Fire: Advice For Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures
Colorado-Wyoming Association of Museums - Ash Cleanup for Museums
Tru Vue - Disaster Recovery: Fire and Soot Damage
Heritage Preservation Video - Soot & Ash (7:00)
Webinar: RCWR - Hands On! Detection and Cleaning of Soot
FAIC - Find A Conservator
(Visit the Resources Page for additional material.)
Response and Salvage Resources for Cultural Heritage:
SI - PRICE - Emergency Documentation
FEMA - Save Your Family Treasures - Fact Sheets Available in English and Spanish
Western Association for Art Conservation (WAAC) - Salvage at a Glance by Betty Walsh
Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) - Preservation Leaflets
National Archives - Objects Recovery
FAIC - Emergency Response and Salvage App - Apple Version
NHR Tip Sheet - Working With Recovery Vendors: What You Should Know
FAIC - Emergency (CAP) Program
FAIC - Find A Conservator
TX-CERA Quick Guide to Wet Salvage Posters - Books, Inorganic Objects, Magnetic & Optical Media, Paintings, Photographic Materials, Skin & Leather
(Visit the Resources Page for additional material.)
This is a rotating section of available disaster planning, response, and recovery grants or other funding opportunities for Cultural Institutions, Historic Sites, Museums, Archives or Special Collections.
NEH Disaster Recovery Grants for Humanities Collections - The National Endowment for the Humanities is currently accepting applications for their disaster recovery grant program. Grants of up to $30,000 will support emergency response and recovery activities that may include salvaging humanities collections such as rare books, documents, photographs, artwork, sculptures, historical objects, audiovisual media, and digital collections impacted by the floods in Central Texas in July 2025. Preservation field services networks and consortia that support collecting institutions’ efforts to respond to and recover from the floods are also eligible to apply. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until January 26, 2026.
Emergency Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) Program - The Emergency CAP is more flexible in that it does not adhere to the annual schedule of the regular CAP program. The goal is to help museums in federally declared disaster areas receive post-disaster collections care recommendations from conservation and building professionals on an expedited basis.
Texas Library Association (TLA) Disaster Relief Fund - The Texas Library Association awards grants to libraries impacted by natural disasters. Grants range from $2,500 to $5,000 and can be used for technology, facility repair, collections, furnishings, or other needs related to storm damage. Academic, public, school and special libraries are eligible to receive assistance.
Society of American Archivists Foundation's (SAAF) National Disaster Recovery Fund for Archives (NDRFA) - SAAF/NDRFA offers grants of up to $5,000 available for immediate recovery efforts to help navigate the challenging aftermath of a disaster. Applications are processed quickly, with grants typically awarded within 7–10 business days. Don't hesitate to seek help: review the guidelines and submit your application to access the support you need to restore and preserve your valuable collections.
FAIC - Emergency Planning Toolkit for Tribal Cultural Institutions
FAIC - Climate Resilience Resources
CCAHA - Picking Favorites: Strategies for Determining Salvage Priorities
UNESCO - Fire Risk Management Guide: Protecting Cultural and Natural Heritage from Fire - English / Spanish
(Visit the Resources Page for additional material.)