Reducing risk to historic assets: drivers and barriers of NGO disaster planning engagement

This study examines the prevalence of and shifts in preservation NGO engagement in disaster planning around historic assets across the U.S. We identify drivers and barriers to planning, leader opinions on what may increase planning engagement, and change in these areas from 2014 to 2020. Data comprise 73 NGO leader interviews from 2014 and 75 survey responses from 2020. Analysis shows a slight increase in NGOs engaged in any type of disaster planning from 2014 to 2020, with more staff generally meaning more planning. While increased staff were considered most likely and regulations least likely to increase engagement in 2014 and 2020, public support and technical assistance were seen in 2020as more likely to increase engagement. This study expands scholarship on NGO disaster planning and practical knowledge regarding areas for collaboration between government and NGOs in overcoming barriers and planning for disasters caused by natural hazards.