It’s an unfortunate reality that violent acts are sometimes carried out in houses of worship. Religious organizations should be prepared for violent risks, including active shootings—the most common type of threat—robbery, assault, arson and bombings. These violent acts are often carried out by individuals who are or have been connected to the religious organization. There are often warning signs, such as threats, outbursts, disputes or other confrontations before the violence occurs.
This article discusses ways to mitigate violent risks and conduct emergency response training.
Mitigating Risks
No religious organization is immune to the risk of a violent episode. However, there are steps an organization can take to mitigate risk, including:
- Develop plans. Developing and implementing emergency response plans can help keep everyone in a religious organization safe. The following should be in place:
- Emergency action plan—An emergency action plan establishes communication roles during a crisis, evacuation procedures and first aid protocols.
- Active shooter plan—An active shooter plan can help identify when to evacuate, shelter-in-place or fight during an active shooter situation.
- Incident management plan—Following a crisis, an incident management plan can help a religious organization’s operations return to normal as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
- Implement and train staff and volunteers on security plans. In a crisis, people will look to staff and volunteers for guidance and they should be fully informed and prepared to follow through on established procedures. Be sure each individual knows their role and reviews the plans regularly and as necessary based on facility and personnel updates.
Conduct a security assessment. Identify vulnerabilities by assessing written procedures and current practices. This assessment should be completed with local law enforcement or other professional security.
- Install security systems. Security systems, such as cameras, security guards and access controls, can help prevent individuals from committing violent acts. Keypads or badge readers can ensure doors remain locked to those without access. A plan should be in place to determine which entries are open during services.
- Work with local law enforcement. Religious organizations should work with local law enforcement to develop and establish emergency response procedures. There should also be plans for who will contact the police during a crisis.
Emergency Response Training
Religious organizations should be prepared for emergencies created by violent people. Preparing to handle violent situations can give everyone confidence to face an emergency. The following are ways to train on emergency response:
- Ensure staff and volunteers are educated on how to respond to emergencies. Establishing protocols and communicating them with those in charge can ensure that all responsibilities are handled during a crisis. Be sure to update responsibilities as staff changes.
- Conduct practice drills. Repeating emergency procedures can help people remember their roles and remain calm during an actual crisis. Exercises can also identify any problems that are present and allow the religious organization to correct them prior to an incident occurring.
- Inform those who attend the religious organization on procedures. Staff and volunteers aren’t the only ones who need to know what to do during an emergency. Be sure to share emergency protocols using bulletins, visitor packets or handouts. Regular reminders can also help keep attendees prepared.
With the proper planning and practice, religious organization staff, volunteers and attendees can remain prepared during an act of violence. For more information, contact us today.
