Crucial Details about Record Keeping
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) plays a crucial role in ensuring the continuity of government operations during emergencies. Under 36 CFR 1223, essential records are defined as those records vital to an agency’s continued operations during and after an emergency or disaster. These records are essential for protecting the legal and financial rights of the government and individuals.
NARA offers a wealth of resources to help federal agencies manage essential records and plan for records recovery in emergencies. These resources include guidance on identifying essential records, focusing on records critical to agency operations and rights protection. NARA also provides records scheduling and management resources under 36 CFR 1225, which help agencies inventory, analyze retention needs, and properly schedule records—integral to recovery planning.
Additionally, NARA offers disaster recovery planning resources, emphasizing maintaining or recovering essential records when the agency's normal operations or facilities are disrupted. NARA's online resources and toolkits guide agencies through preparing for, protecting, and recovering essential records in case of disaster or emergency.
NARA also provides points of contact for records emergencies and a downloadable Essential Records Guide. Information on contracting records recovery services is available from NARA as well. It is important to note that unauthorized disposal of federal records should be reported.
It is worth mentioning that FEMA's Federal Continuity Directives include essential records management requirements. There is also a procedure for emergency disposal of contaminated federal records, but NARA does not provide details about these procedures.
In summary, 36 CFR 1223 mandates agencies to plan for and safeguard essential records so that government functions can continue, and legal rights are protected during emergencies. NARA provides extensive guidance and tools to support this, including records scheduling requirements, disaster recovery planning, and access to records management best practices. For more information, visit NARA’s records management and scheduling guidance pages.
Scientists at NARA might explore the impact of various medical-conditions on the stress-resistance of essential records during emergencies, as their protection is critical for maintaining government operations and protecting legal and financial rights. As part of their continuous efforts, NARA could integrated technology into their resources, such as creating a digital platform to manage essential records and improving disaster recovery plans using finance-driven predictive models.
