Consult Law Enforcement
Local law enforcement agencies can serve as invaluable resources. Churches should coordinate with local law enforcement and their local fire department, including providing them with property and building layouts so that they may better respond in the event of emergency situations. They are also often able to provide training sessions for ministry safety team members, and many departments are willing to review a church’s emergency response plans with you to ensure they are “up to code” and will be efficient and effective methods of responding to emergencies.
Hire a Consultant
Consider hiring a consultant who develops responses to emergency situations. Check for referrals from local law enforcement, other churches, or schools in the area.
Weekday vs. Sunday
Remember there is a difference between how emergency situations should be handled on a weekday and how they should be handled during a church service. Make plans accordingly.
Comply with Regulations
Be sure that all plans, procedures, and protocols take into consideration and align with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Evaluate the Church’s Risk Levels
When considering how to prepare for emergencies, each church should first evaluate its risk levels for each likely type of emergency, because no ministry, regardless of size and/or location, is completely immune from violence, severe weather, armed attacks, or medical emergencies. In evaluating your risk levels, take into consideration:
If the church/ministry, its pastor, or any members or visitors are considered “high profile”
The ease of accessibility onto church property and especially into buildings during and prior to services and at other times
The location of the ministry, its proximity to high crime areas, and past criminal activity on or near church property
Established safety protocols and knowledge by attendees/members of safety protocols
Likely presence of armed members and/or formal security
Likelihood of severe weather in the area where the church is located — particularly tornadoes
The presence of members or visitors with known severe health conditions and the level of medically trained individuals at the church
The age, condition, and uses of the property, especially if the buildings are older, house older heating equipment, or if the church has a kitchen where heating sources are used
Form a Safety Team
Designate individuals in your congregation who will be your “go-to” people if and when an emergency arises. Background checks should be conducted on all potential members of the safety team. Take into consideration the various occupations and experience of those within your congregation when choosing who should be on this team.
First responders: persons trained in handling medical emergencies, including doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, and/or police officers. If there are no medically trained personnel within the church, ensure that, at a minimum, designated staff members are trained in CPR, defibrillator use, and the use of epinephrine and that there are designated persons to call 911 in the event of emergencies.
Those familiar with the property layout: persons who can be trained on or who already are very familiar with the entire property, including but not limited to all points of access, maps of infrastructure, escape routes, locations of landline telephones and f ire alarms, as well as the evacuation procedures for specified emergencies. Consideration should be taken to choose persons who are physically fit and able to run/respond quickly should the need arise.
Representatives of each of the ministries operating during services: those volunteers or paid staff who will be responsible for implementing emergency safety responses in each of the major ministries (children, adult, special needs, nursery, transportation, etc.)
Police officers and/or licensed security guards: in a number of states, churches may not purport to offer “security” services (armed or unarmed) unless such services are provided by active or retired law enforcement officers acting in their jurisdiction or state-licensed security guards. Given this, the NCLL recommends that churches consult with their local law enforcement agency to determine the agency’s position on allowing those with weapon carry permits (open or concealed) to hold a place on the church safety team. In many states, weapons are entirely forbidden in places of worship by anyone other than law enforcement, so non-law enforcement members would be forbidden from carrying.
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