Rothstein Associates Inc.

DISASTER RECOVERY PLANNING AND RESOURCES FOR RECORDS MANAGERS
AND LIBRARIANS
by Jacqueline A. Virando

"Although fires, floods and earthquakes are relatively rare occurrences, when we hear the
word disaster,' we most often visualize those kinds of events. Most disasters, however, are
not these widespread events but are limited in the number of people or buildings that they
affect. When a local disaster does occur, if the organization it affects is unprepared, the
damage can be catastrophic. Sometimes it takes a disaster to spur an organization into
disaster recovery planning. The reality of the damage incurred serves to point out the
vulnerabilty of all other aspects of everyday operations. This report focuses on disasters
which affect a specific facility such as building fire, water damage, water damage due to rain
or burst pipes, or other causes of localized damage.

"In order to get started with disaster recovery planning, you will need some basic guidance
such as that provided by this resource report. Outlined are some circumstances to be taken
into account both in the preplanning and in the development of your own plan.

"The disaster recovery and planning information presented is a compilation from actual plans
that are currently in use. Most of the sources consulted in the compilation of this generic plan
are listed in the bibliography. This source material includes the recovery of paper (books and
archival materials), film, electronic, and magnetic media and spans different industry-specific
disciplines.

"The appendices included in this report contain the information you will need to construct
your
own plan as well as sources for additional help and assistance."

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CONTENTS

Foreword
1. Assessment, Detection, and Prevention Insurance Assessment
Detection
Preventing Damage from Fire
Preventing Damage from Water
2. Developing a Disaster Recovery Plan
Keys to Successful Plan Development
Elements of the Plan
Sections and Checklists
Appendices:
1. Glossary
2. Initial Disaster Assessment Form
3. Disaster Recovery Team
4. Safety Precautions
5. Treatment of Damaged Materials
6. Disaster Recovery Consultants
7. Contingency Planning Group Contacts
8. Disaster Recovery Products and Services
9. Computer-Related Disaster Recovery Services
10. Personal Recovery Equipment
11. Recovery Materials
12. PC-Based Recovery Planning
13. Sample Confirmation Letters
Annotated Bibliography

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1991, 54 pages Order #DR-164
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4 Arapaho Rd.

Brookfield, CT 06804-3104

1-888-ROTHSTEin

Telephone: 203.740.7444; 888.768.4783

Fax: 203.740.7401

All bookstore enquiries should be sent to Rothstein Associates at the above address.

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