Chapter 8 › V.C.2.i–iii Contents and Supplies

Will FEMA replace damaged contents, records, books and museum collections?

FEMA term

Contents and supplies; files; library books; irreplaceable collections

Short answer

Damaged contents are eligible even if the building wasn’t damaged, replaced with comparable items. Files can be recovered and copied, library books replaced from the pre-disaster inventory, and irreplaceable collections stabilized and treated, but not replaced.

What FEMA requires

Files: recovering, stabilizing (including freeze-drying), sanitizing, copying or scanning damaged hard copies, and recovering data from damaged drives. Not new databases, re-keying lost data, or digitizing re-established files.
Library books: replacement based on the pre-disaster inventory, plus re-shelving and cataloging. Special collections (rare books, manuscripts) are eligible only for treatment.
Collections and objects: stabilization and needed treatment by a qualified conservator, treatment plans, and display and storage equipment. Restoring to original condition (removing old varnish) and replacing destroyed irreplaceable items are not eligible.

Documentation

Pre-disaster inventories, accession and catalog records, and conservator treatment plans.

Watch out · Govstar practitioner advice

Keep a current, off-site inventory of contents and collections. Replacement is capped at what you can show you had.

Govstar summarizes FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide in plain language and links to the official text. Govstar is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. This is general guidance, not legal advice.