Below are links to resources that may be helpful to congregations that are looking to create guidelines for church safety in the event a situation arises on their property. If your congregation has any materials it would like to share, email them to Synod Communications Coordinator Mike Givler (mgivler@syntrinity.org). This page will be updated as new information becomes available.Church safety

Find here a link to a video from the Foursquare Church denomination. It gives an overview from prevention to follow through, including using “chaplains” for pastoral care for an ever-enlarging ripple effect of people.

General Resources

Creating Safe Ministries

This resource from the Presbyterian Mission Agency is available here.

ALICE Training

ALICE Training (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate) helps houses of worship, schools, businesses and healthcare organizations better prepare their most valuable assets — their people — to prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from a violent critical incident. Click here for more information.

Cybersecurity Tips

A Corp’s General Counsel, Mike Kirk, has provided tips on vigilance against hacking, phishing, and ransomware that should interest all councils of the church.

Insider Threat Mitigation Resource

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency presents this guide here related to insider threats.

Human-Caused Disaster

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has helpful disaster-related information that addresses all types of disasters. Click here and scroll to the folder “Human-Caused Disaster.”

Gun Violence and Prevention Toolkit

The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship offers a “Gun Violence and Prevention Congregational Toolkit” here.

Run. Hide. Fight. Surviving an Active Shooter Event

Click here for a video that outlines a plan if a gunman enters your work space.

Protecting Your Congregation

Church Mutual Insurance Company offers several church safety resources, including videos on how to protect a congregation against active shooters. Click here.

Derry Presbyterian Church Presentation

Derry Township (Hershey, PA) police officer shares best practices in the event of an active shooter situation, a presentation that was recorded on video here.

Hate Crimes and the FBI

Click here to find advice in response to the experience of congregations being targeted for harassment.

Click on the link below for the corresponding resource document:

Helpful information during and after a traumatic event

Parent guidelines for crisis response

Teacher guidelines for crisis response

Practical suggestions for assisting children in the aftermath of a tragedy

How do people respond during traumatic exposure?

Resources for dealing with tragedies

 

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Use these helpful resources to create a disaster plan for your family, church and presbytery:

Additional information can be found through these website below:

CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLANNING