EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE

 

Get Going!!

1. ​Look over plan development tools/examples including sample templates provided/linked in this message.  No one plan will answer all your questions but it is a good place to start.  Begin with the ERD Bronze plan at a minimum and build from there.

2. Build a collaborative planning team.  Your planning team is usually composed of interested parishioners who have offered up their time and talents to this essential ministry.

3. Involve your congregation/community.  Train other church leaders. Request your local law enforcement/fire department to provide an on-site security assessment.  Talk to the church next door; what have they done?

4. Prioritize your risks & threats.  Ensure your dialogue includes most likely scenarios (it’s not just about hurricanes).  For example:

• Medical Emergencies:  What happens if a parishioner faints during a service?

• Fire Evacuation:  How do you exit / evacuate your building if the alarm goes off?

• Hurricane / Flood:   Do you have copies of your insurance policy/phone numbers readily available

• Active Shooter:  does your plan include how to Run, Hide, Fight?

• Disorderly / Violent person:  What do you do if someone acts in a threatening manner towards a staff member.

 

Emergency Preparedness Plans for Congregations

Preparedness Planning Guides for Congregations from Episcopal Relief and Development​ (ERD)

• Bronze Level Plan - Gathers only the most basic information to use after a disaster.

• Silver Level Plan - A more abbreviated version that collects less information.

• The Comprehensive Preparedness Planning Guide -  Includes steps for inventorying, protecting and mobilizing physical and human assets; identifying vulnerable people; anticipating response activities, and testing the first steps of a response.

 

Other Examples: 

• DHS: Emergency Action Plan Guide - Active Shooter Preparedness Template:  template to help document the initial steps toward creating an Active Shooter preparedness plan; includes a companion video.

• Quick Storm Checklist:    If you do not have an emergency plan in place, you can use this quick storm checklist.  

• Hurricane Plan and Teams Example:  This is an example of a congregations Storm Plan including supporting Hurricane Recovery Teams they have in place in case of a named storm.  

• Diocese of TX – Parish Emergency Planning Guide - The Diocese of TX published a solid and accessible plan to help guide their congregations to develop emergency plans.

• St. Gabriel the Archangel Episcopal Church - Preparedness Plan - Designed to assist the members of the congregation in preparing for a possible medical, fire, security, or weather-related emergency.  An excellent example of a very comprehensive plan but also contains “how-to” notes.

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Helpful Information

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• How to Build a Church Preparedness Team  - A Sr. Warden shares the process of how he worked with his congregation to respond to emergencies and how they established a comprehensive preparedness plan and a church safety ministry (2 pages)

• Disaster Responses:  Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, NY - A case study after a violent act on church property; how church members worked to balance concerns about maintaining the church’s open and welcoming identity while ensuring the safety for all who use and visit their building.  (2 pages)

• Church Insurance:  Acts of Violence against the Church –  An insurance company perspective; why it’s important to have plans in place to mitigate the risk of violence—and to be able to react appropriately and quickly in case something does happen.

• Church Insurance:  Safety and Insurance Handbook for Churches – Distributed by CIC, this is a handy reference and guide around safety in your congregations.

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More Resources

• Active Shooter Training:  Contact your local police / fire department to schedule an active shooter training or request a Security Evaluation.  A few initial points of contact include (will be added as confirmed): 

  • MOBILE, AL:    call 251-574- 4455 OR EMAIL Johnathan Geary jtgeary@mobileso.com

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• Visit the Episcopal Relief and Development resource library for additional resources:  
  www.episcopalrelief.org/press-and-resources/resource-library
   

• Visit the National Disaster Interfaith Network for tips, tools, resources:  www.n-din.org/ndin_resources/ndin_tips_sheets_v1208.php    Tip sheets Include: 

  • Active Shooter in a House of Worship

  • Disaster Backlash: Bias Crimes & Mitigation

  • ​Faith Communities & Evacuation Planning
     

• Sign up for ERD’s US Disaster Program newsletter “Lamplight”, a good source of timely information including new resources and training opportunities:  www.episcopalrelief.org/what-we-do/us-disaster-program
   

• Workshop / Risk Assessment Module (part of a series of training modules available at ERD).  Designed to create a space for participants to share stories about their fears and to discuss hazards within their community. This material includes facilitator notes, handouts for participants, discussion questions, etc.
   

• Ready to Serve:   As part of the US Disaster Preparedness Initiative, ERD is building a database of volunteers who are ready and willing to respond in the event of a disaster.  If you are interested in being contacted about volunteer opportunities or disaster response trainings, please fill out the form provided in the link below.  www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/volunteer/ready-to-serve

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