If the Virginia Tech tragedy has reminded us of anything, it is that random violence can happen anywhere! The number one thing I heard stated over and over again at Pearl, MS in 1997 was "I can't believe this happened in Pearl." Within a few months of the Pearl shooting, I was in Memphis, TN for a conference of key leaders from several schools in different cities who had experienced shootings in the weeks following ours. The same sentiment was echoed prominently by each community. We never believe this kind of horror can happen to us. But it can - and it does.
Preparation is essential! It is not faith to ignore this sort of thing. God gave us a brain to use and we should use it. A crisis plan is not guaranteed to prevent a tragedy, but it can certainly help prepare a community, a school, or a church to have certain items covered in the event of a tragedy. Here are a few suggestions for things that a crisis plan should cover related to a church tragedy ( this could be anything from a shooting at church, a tornado or fire disaster, or an accident involving church vans or buses etc.).
1. How will we communicate? Communications become difficult to impossible within 10 minutes of a major disaster or act of violence, especially with a shooting. Cell phones become jammed. Even land lines can become difficult to obtain. Having a dedicated, unpublished line at a church can be helpful for outgoing communications in the first hours of a tragedy. Some two-way radio communications can be a life-saver as well. Make sure that you have 911 access from all parts of your facilities, including the worship center.
2. Have we ever devised an evacuation / lock down plan for our Sunday School, worship service etc.?
For some events, you need to evacuate as soon as possible. For others, you need to lock down and stay put. A crisis plan helps you identify the proper response. Do you have clearly drawn evacuation routes posted on the walls in your facilities?
3. Does your church have an identified Emergency or Crisis Team that can take quick, pre-approved actions on behalf of the church during a crisis? If you have to have "Business Meetings" or even meetings of fairly significant numbers of people to respond to a crisis in your own church, you are going to find that you cannot act quickly enough. The crisis plan will help you shape the boundaries for such action.
4. Do you have an "official spokesperson" for your church? If you do not, you will have not only one, but practically as many spokespersons as there are cameras pointing at your people. Before a crisis happens, identify and make known to your church who will officially speak for the church at press conferences etc.
5. Does your local police and fire department have accurate drawings of your church facilities? This is vitally important if a hostage situation were to develop or if you were to have a fire.
6. Do you have any location in mind where people should go if you have a tragic shooting? Is there a place where you can account for who are present? or missing?
7. Do you have some pre-approved counselors who would assist you in the event of a tragedy?
8. Do you have any funds budgeted for this? A reasonable amount might be as little as $500 to as much as $5,000. You never know what costs will arise during a crisis - but they will appear. Of course, you hope you never need to spend them.
9. Do you have any type "security" in place - volunteer or otherwise - who either volunteer weekly or would move into action should an event occur?
10. Do you have any means to communicate in real time to your people in all parts of your building that a crisis is happening?
Here is what happens. This is not an exhaustive list - just one to get you thinking. Most church leaders will look at it and say - that is too much work for something that will probably never happen here. RIGHT AND WRONG! IT may never happen - but most of the above can be accomplished without great expense. It does take time, however. Every minute spent in preparation for such an event will yield dividends that are unbelievable if something does happen. A plan is just that - a plan. In a crisis - some parts of a plan may not work or may not be applicable. But some parts will be common and helpful to any type of crisis.
Be wise - and prepare! And pray you never have to use your plan!! And pray for those who do!!!
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