Emergency Response Policies.

[Gary Swartzlander]

I really want to continue the issue of writing policies that Dave began, but want to widen the subject and hopefully avoid bringing our emotions into it and deal with just the practical points of writing and administering them.

This past Sunday morning the Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church on the campus of Spring Arbor University found a bomb threat written on a board someplace in the church. The church cancelled all services and moved everyone to space at the university. People were not allowed to leave, move cars, etc. until authorities could sweep the area and clear it. Thankfully nothing was found and they have identified a suspect.

It got me thinking about what would happen if that had been at our church, how prepared would we have been to handle it. Similarly if we had a fire or other emergency while the building was full of people, would we be prepared to deal with it effectively. I don't think we are.

If your church needed to be evacuated are there designated places that children's workers are to take children? Are there designated areas for people leaving the sanctuary to go so you can see if everyone is accounted for? How do you avoid parents blocking hallways trying to get to nurseries to get children? Much to think about.

We are going to be reviewing policies over the course of this year and I'm sure developing new ones. As Dave asked and I ask also, maybe we can help each other with this process, if by nothing more than thinking things through. Each situation will be different because of building designs, size of church, location from streets etc.

Let's help ourselves with this process.

[Belinda Y. Edwards]

Thank you - sincerely, Gary, for this post.

You and i have had a few conversations regarding this topic. It is extremely close to my heart.

One of my extreme pet peeves of the Church is to have the reputation of 'having their head stuck in the sand'.

[Belinda Y. Edwards]

First, i am not so certain that this is the means to do this.

Let me quickly - very quickly explain.

May i urge you to remember that it isn't just *friendly Nazarenes* reading this forum. This is a reason that i have begged for years for NazNet to be *under lock and key* *smiles* i understand the other rationale but days have changed.

i post this urging because as quickly as i pressed the post button on my previous post, i know that i should be sharing specifics about what our church has in place. Thoughts of where we are going with this idea.

i can't.

For the safety of our people and community i can not post publically.

You have asked that we help each other.

i suggest that we meet face to face. Emails can help some - but round robin discussion around a table to flesh out all the angels would be the best way. And yes - with the emotions left outside the room.

Good luck, best wishes and sincere blessings on your efforts.

[Diane Reynolds]

At our church I am not aware of such a written or spoken policy. Just sent an email to the Pastor of Children's Ministry. Will reply later with what they have to say as to planning in place or needed. Great Post! Thanks

[Gary Swartzlander]

I agree that the discussion has to deal with generalities, and can not be very location specific. Besides that I think you are just looking for a good reason to get together!!! (just kidding)

While I've been thinking about this it occures to me that this is really something that should be developed on a district level with the district leading the way in training and helping churches develope these policies, for the protection of both the church and the district.

[Belinda Y. Edwards]

Besides that I think you are just looking for a good reason to get together!!! (just kidding)



*grins and laughs*

Not MEEEEE!


************

Keep talking, Gary. You are totally on the right track.

[Gary Swartzlander]

I hadn't thought about this until thinking about this over the weekend.

The drive from our nearest major road to the church and parking lot is long and allows for one lane in and one lane out.

If we have a fire and evacuated the building, if we just expected everyone to leave the property we could easily block emergency vehicle access to the building with several hundred vehicles trying to leave. We have a non-public drive that could probably be used as an emergency exit, but that could cause other issues.

Do we ask people to not leave the property and move as far away from the building as possible? (I think we do).

[Ian Gentles]

Gary good thinking, this is desperatle needed in all churchs.