Emergency Preparedness
Congregational Safety
On June 24, 2022, Bishop Smith sent a message to lay and ordained leaders about congregational safety following the Supreme Court’s ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. Read the message, which includes several resources and steps to take.
Below, you will find a template for emergency preparedness, as well as emergency preparedness materials, information about training, and links to more resources.
Template for Emergency Preparedness
There are two versions of the Template for Emergency Preparedness document available for download. One is a traditional Microsoft Word document, the other is an interactive PDF.
Although both versions contain identical information, the interactive PDF is in many ways easier to use. It is indexed similar to a website in that you can click on topics in the index and be taken quickly to the correct section, click on the “Home” button on the bottom of the page, and you’ll go back to the index.
How to use and disseminate the interactive PDF:
- Download the interactive pdf
- Fill out customizable areas for information pertinent to your situation. The customizable areas are shown as blue boxes.
- Save the PDF with the customizable parts filled in.
- Upload to Dropbox or some other document sharing site.
- Share Dropbox (or other) link with vestry, staff members, and any other pertinent people.
- Update PDF as needed and remind people to access the updated version.
Emergency Preparedness materials
Signage
Signage to accompany your Emergency Preparedness Plan is available to your congregation at no cost.
Posters
The diocese has developed an Emergency Response Guide poster
Training
E-learning
Recent national and international tragedies show us that the risk is real, an active shooter incident can happen in any place at any time. Although most people think of churches as places of contemplation and prayer, churches have not been immune from such incidents. Preparedness and awareness will help us keep everyone safe.
Check our list of Planning Resources (to the right) for videos to help you learn how be be prepared.
Live training
House of Worship Security training is available through the Ohio Crime Prevention Association (OCPA). Visit www.ocpa-oh.org for more information and dates of training.
Planning Resources Links
- Safety & Insurance HANDBOOK FOR CHURCHES by Church Insurance
- FBI: Active Shooter resources
- FBI: Additional resources
- Homeland Security: Active Shooter Preparedness
- FEMA: HOW TO PREPARE FOR AND RESPOND DURING AND AFTER AN ACTIVE SHOOTER INCIDENT
- FEMA: Emergency Response Plan
- Society for Human Resource Management: Preventing Workplace Violence
- VIDEO: RUN > HIDE> FIGHT. Surviving an Active Shooter Event
- ONLINE COURSE: Active Shooter – What can you do?
- Red Cross online training and certification courses
- Ready Business Emergency Response Plan
- Red Cross CPR training video
- Red Cross Preparedness Survey
- National Disaster Interfaiths Network: Continuity Of Operations Planning
- Non-Profit Risk Management Center: Business Continuity Planning Course
- Disaster Recovery Journal
- Business Continuity Planning / Disaster Recovery Planning: An Online Guide
- Homeland Security: Active Shooter Emergency Action Plan Video
- National Library of Medicine Disaster Information Management Research Center
- National Association of County and City Health Officials, Tools for Faith-based Organizations
- Disaster preparedness for the faith based community
- Plan Ahead for Disasters
- National Disaster Interfaith Network
- Bomb Threat Procedures/Checklist
- Brotherhood Mutual Insurance: Disaster Recovery Planning Ministry Continuation Checklist
Church Security webinars
Active Shooter Preparedness and Response
Oct. 19, 2022
Resources from the webinar
- Presentation slides (ppt file)
- Presentation slides (pdf file)
- Active shooter resources from Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
CISA Physical Security Services and Best Practices for Church Security
Sept 28, 2022
Resources from the webinar
- Presentation slides
- Faith-based Community Self-Assessment User Guide
- Houses of Worship Security Self-Assessment
- Mitigating Attacks on Houses of Worship Security Guide
- Mitigating Attacks on Houses of Worship Fact Sheet
- The Power of Hello Guide
- The Power of Hello Guide (Spanish)
- Employee Vigilance through the Power of Hello