By making rapid decisions after an earthquake, administrators can save historic buildings from the ravages of fire, looting, water, and the weather, which can more than treble the initial damage. A disaster teaches the importance of inventories and full documentation beforehand. A policy of upgrading buildings combined with their regular maintenance is recommended. Ill-conceived alterations can greatly damage the seismic resistance of a building. There is a need to educate contractors and supervisors in seismic zones. There is also a need to train architects and engineers in the art of strengthening historic buildings against seismic threats. Such strengthening must be compatible with the structural system and materials of a historic building. Engineers should always give alternative proposals so that the architect, art historian, and archaeologist can evaluate their effect on the authenticity of the historic building.