First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis - Handbook

This document discusses three interdependent steps involved in an emergency response to safeguard cultural heritage. It can be downloaded from the website of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM).

This document explains the field-tested systematic workflow to analyze, assess and execute rescue operations to secure endangered heritage, both tangible and intangible. The first step aids in determining medium to long-term needs in recovering cultural heritage. Step two outlines priorities for on-site execution. The last step describes actions that stabilize and secure damaged heritage until full conservation comes into effect. This framework is based on ICCROM's international course titled, 'First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis (FAC).' 

ICCROM is an intergovernmental organization created in the aftermath of the Second World War in response to widespread destruction and the urgent need to reconstruct cultural property. Over the years, ICCROM has followed an interdisciplinary approach to conservation by engaging the expertise of scientists, conservators, restorers, archaeologists, art historians, curators, architects, engineers and city planners. Regular courses and workshops have expanded in focus, now including topics such as conservation of museums, historic structures in stone, brick, wood or earthen architecture, archaeological sites, historic urban areas and cultural landscapes.

 Some of the contents of the document are:

• Conflict analysis
• Guiding principles for cultural heritage first-aid
• Mapping stakeholders and actors
• Post event evacuation