3. Safety: Why?
People come to us for a variety of reasons
Yet underlying it all is an expectation that we will
provide communities where their safety is foremost
in our mind
Safety first. Three areas of focus:
People
Places
Things
Two modifiers: Natural and Human Created
4. Matrix View
For any event, ask what are the impacts on
people, places, and things, both initially and as a
result
Examples:
A storm: A tree falls on the building, creating a hole in
the roof, and people rushing to help fall because the
floors get slippery, and the leaks destroy the computer
system with all the congregation‘s information inside
Medical issue for a member may traumatize
members, and there may be no indication of
family/friends who have power to act
5. Best Thing: Be Prepared!
Create policies and procedures that reflect all three
levels
Share information with renters
Resources:
UUA Website, District/Regional Staff
Church Mutual Insurance Company
Local Community Policing Officers
Federal Government: www.ready.gov
Local resources in disaster preparedness
Your own insurance company
6. People: Medical
Train key leaders in first aid annually
Obtain AED and train people annually
Maintain a full first aid kit, with signs as to location
Include diabetes glucose tablets, etc.
Post congregation‗s address in prominent location
Have phone available for 911 calls
Compile list of medical personnel in congregation
Brief leaders on location of first aid materials
Maintain Emergency Contact Files
7. People: Safety Guidelines
Child and vulnerable adults
Policies and procedures for Safe Congregations
Sexual offenders
Don‘t presume it doesn‘t happen in your congregation
Policies and procedures: never alone, designated
companions
Ask for disclosure—to minister or others
Safeguard member/friend contact information
Travel guidelines:
Guidelines for drivers for trips, chaperones, etc.
8. People: Stranger Danger
Biggest fear, but relatively rare
Awareness and preparedness first
No one working with children until more than 6
months at congregation
Safeguard member/friend contact information
Create a response plan
Train greeters, ushers, teachers, staff
Point people on duty each week
Be curious about who come in, but not paranoid
9. People: Hazard Prevention
Property accessible and safe
Prepare for weather: snow, ice, flooding
Playground equipment follows safety guidelines
Proper lighting for night-time security
Buddy system when leaving building after dark
System for repairs and maintenance known by
all, including renters, to increase safety
Maintain sufficient insurance coverage to protect
congregation
10. People: Disaster Response
Evacuation and Sheltering In plans
Design evacuation route
Two gathering locations, in case first unsafe
Designate people to help with RE and disabled
Drills at least once a year
Post maps in every room/location
Determine sheltering in locations
Safest places in congregation
Drills at least once a year
Post maps in every room/location
11. Places
Building Safety:
Look for obvious nuisances – inside and outside
Pay attention to potential copper theft
Fire alarm and/or phone with address and emergency
numbers listed
Sprinkler system in kitchen
Fire extinguishers throughout and annual check
If fireplaces, monitor use
Playground safety and cushioning material
Lighting
Address well posted on outside of building
12. Places
Evacuation and Sheltering In
Create routes and maps, and post
Evacuation and sheltering in drills at least annually
For sheltering in, obtain supplies and check annually
for expiry
Partner with your local disaster recovery agency
13. Things
Data Safety
Offsite Backups
―Cloud‖ storage
Equipment
Maintain Inventory with full details, offsite
Archives
Offsite Backups
―Cloud‖ storage, not member attics/basements
Bottom Line: Redundancy!
14. Role in Community
One thing to ask: what role do you wish to play
Are you a congregation that wants to help members
and neighbors:
Do you wish to be a community shelter in
emergencies?
Will you train members/neighbors on preparedness?
Can you support workshops on wills and estate
matters for families?
Will you keep up your commitments to disaster
preparedness?
15. Final Words
Be Prepared—it can happen here, and does
Create and review your policies
Back up everything
Train your people: first aid, AED, dangers, drills
Redundant systems, offsite, automatic – now readily
and easily available
Take care of yourselves!
16. Resources
UUA Website (www.uua.org)
District/Regional Staff
Church Mutual Insurance Company
(http://www.churchmutual.com/index.php/choice/r
isk/page/intro/id/21)
Local Community Policing Officers
Federal Government: www.ready.gov
Local resources in disaster preparedness (Google:
disaster preparedness churches)
Your own insurance company
Notes de l'éditeur
Awareness: take into account email, mail and phone threats/disturbing items; notify local police—may know the person; think about having someone monitoring parkingShooting in Knoxville: story about the metal detectors – before or after the greeters tableAdd in the possibility of drifters/homeless connection with community police and having someone sitting in car (joan van b story)