Congregational Safety Meeting

Congregational Safety Meeting, January 28th:  Following worship on January 28th, Pastor Brian presented information on what to do in the event an active shooter is in your vicinity.  An “active shooter” is an individual who is engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area.  While our first reaction is to freeze, it is important to know what to do so you can react immediately.  

 Whether you are in church or anywhere, here are three options you should know:

  1. Run

  • Have an escape route and plan in mind.  Make sure you are aware of how to exit the sanctuary using the doors behind the choir loft and the organ.

  • Leave your belongings behind

  • Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow

  • Help other escape, if possible

  • Do not attempt to move the wounded

  • Prevent others from entering an area where the active shooter may be

  • Keep your hands visible

  • Call 911 when you are safe

  1. Hide

    • Hide in an area out of the shooter’s view

    • Lock door or block entry to your hiding place

    • Silence your cell phone (including vibrate mode) and remain quiet

  2. Fight

    • Fight as last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger

    • Attempt to incapacitate the shooter

    • Act with as much physical aggression as possible

    • Improvise weapons or throw items at active shooter.  Hymnals are great projectiles!

    • Commit to your actions

 

When Law Enforcement arrives: (Keep in mind that when law enforcement arrives, they do not know who the active shooter is so do the following to make sure they know it isn’t you.)

  • Remain calm and follow instructions

  • Drop items in your hands (e.g. bags, jackets)

  • Raise hands and spread fingers

  • Keep hands visible at all times

  • Avoid quick movements toward officers, such as holding on to them for safety

  • Avoid pointing, screaming or yelling

  • Do not ask questions when evacuating

 

Information to provide to 911 operations:

  • Location of the active shooter

  • Number of shooters

  • Physical descriptions of shooters

  • Number and type of weapons shooter has

  • Number of potential victims at location

 

Knowing what to do can save lives

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