- Principles for Development of Security Measures for Historic Places -
Prepared by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
and the Federal Preservation Institute, National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, National Park Service 1) National Park Service Heritage Preservation is in the public interest.
While protection of human life is paramount, planners and public officials should respect, consider, and protect heritage values, which are fundamental to preserving the American way of life. "Safety" and "security" should not be used as an excuse or pretext for poor planning, insensitivity to heritage values, or failure to consider alternatives if they are feasible in safeguarding the public at historic places. 2) Balancing public safety and heritage protection is an evolving field. Security information, methods, and technologies, particularly for historic places, are changing and improving daily. Base security solutions upon the appropriate risk assessment. Design preparedness upon an understanding of effects of disasters on people and places. When making decisions, emphasize commonsense measures and consider changes in technology, professional practice, and other relevant factors.
3) Accurate information about heritage resources is fundamental to effective preparedness plans.
Ensure complete survey information and resource documentation in order to improve preparedness and response for natural or man-made disasters. Place redundant key records and documentation in several on and off-site locations. Develop systematic means for factoring risk assessment into decisions on inventory and documentation priorities at the regional, state, or local levels. Remember that complete site mapping is important for post-disaster orientation and for identification of fragile archeological sites. 4) Sensitive preservation of historic values is integrated into all actions. Plan and execute disaster preparedness and security measures in or adjacent to historic areas in as sensitive and design-conscious a manner as possible. Make physical modifications -- including fencing, bollards, and other landscape elements -- compatible with significant historic features to the maximum extent feasible. Do not permit temporary or interim installations for security and related purposes to become permanent fixtures of the property or its surroundings. Avoid compounding disaster damage by poorly designed response and clean-up efforts that may further damage historic and archeological sites and fragile landscapes. 5) Consultation with others during planning and implementation is necessary and important. Plan disaster preparedness and security measures in consultation with emergency organizations and other concerned parties, not in a vacuum. Determine how much information can be made public and how much can be shared with other public officials and review authorities. Err on the side of releasing information as long as that release would not jeopardize public safety or national security. Strike an appropriate balance among timeliness, security, and allowing for reasonable public processes.
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