In order to establish an effective Disaster Contingency and Recovery plan for photographic materials, it is necessary to appreciate the characteristics and nature of these extremely diversified and complex materials. A Disaster Contingency and Recovery Plan is not fully detailed by the authors but they describe the basic salient points concerning recognizing the risks; disaster contingency pre-planning; the nature and characteristics of materials; the products of fire and flood; and recovery and drying procedures. Much of the information is discussed in relation to paper-based artifacts in general, with specific emphasis on photographic materials where relevant.