Many people think of a house of worship as a safe area where violence and emergencies cannot affect them. However, violence in houses of worship is not a new phenomenon. In addition to violent acts, fires, tornados, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and arson also affect houses of worship. With many incidents occurring with little to no warning, many houses of worship are developing and updating plans and procedures to ensure the safety and security of their congregations, staff, and facilities.
So begins a US official document, from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), titled Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Houses of Worship.
The downloadable document details what to do in an ‘active shooter situation’, before, during and after.
Pictured: Antwerp.
The DHS also has on its website a similar document, for institutions of higher education (IHEs) to plan ahead. As the DHS puts it, IHEs face unique challenges in planning for potential emergencies in terms of geography, environment, governance, and the population served. For that and other guides, visit the DHS website.
