Our church is currently looking to put together a plan on how to respond and react if an active shooter were to ever enter the premises and/or a meeting. Does anyone happen to have any sample policies or articles on this topic? Whatever you can share would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Pastor Dave
Comments
Our policy with respect to an active shooter is quite simple: we pray for his/her soul as we await eternity with Christ..
Okay, we don't have that policy but it would be appropriate.
A growing number of churches have metal detectors. Everyone passes through them upon entering the church building. . . before one gains access to the sanctuary, church school, or church offices. When the alarm goes off, its connected to 911.
Earlier in the year, I started getting a daily email from the group called Faithbased-ISAO (Information Sharing and Analysis Organization) you can find them one line at faithbased-isao.org. Most of their resources are free and I have found them to be generally helpful.
In April they held a webinar on the topic of Active Shooter that I attended. In my estimation, it was well done. If they offer it again, I would recommend investing the hour.
Another resource they provide is a booklet called "Safe Worship Training to Safeguard Places of Worship". International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES.org) produced the booklet so there is a one-page "commercial" for them at the beginning (p. 4), other than that it has a good outline, is packed with information, and has a list of resources at the end that could also be helpful. You can find the booklet here on the Faithbased-ISAO site.
Here is a resource page from the US Department of Homeland Security that you may find helpful:
https://www.dhs.gov/publication/active-shooter-emergency-action-plan-guide
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