This document provides guidance on establishing a safety team and emergency action plan for a church. It recommends recruiting law enforcement, fire, and EMS volunteers to serve on safety committees. The document also stresses the importance of conducting background checks on all regular volunteers and having trained medical and safety procedures. An emergency action plan should include protocols for natural disasters, medical emergencies, and active shooter situations. Policies on mandated reporting, allergies, and child safety software are also addressed. Effective policy writing involves understanding state laws, potential problems, and church culture.

1. Beyond Background Checks

2. with
JASON & HEIDI HENSLEY
@FAMILYMAN209 & @HEIDIMHENSLEY

4. Building a Safety Team
• Safety team positions
• Calling on Law Enforcement / Fire / EMS.
• Call on these members of your congregation to serve on Safety
committees. (i.e.. Luncheons, Church announcements, bulletins, booths
in the lobby, etc)
• Your volunteers
• As you establish your volunteer list recruit security/safety personnel
• this personnel needs to be background checked
• Just like you would make sure a SS classroom is staffed, have a contact list of
Safety team.
• Have LE / Fire personal available in emergency scenarios.
• If your church does not have these personnel reach out to your local
departments - if not contact us

5. • Develop a volunteer application, including a background authorization form
• Background check ALL regular volunteers (and have a wait period)
(update yearly if your software doesn’t)
• Identify background checked & trained workers
• Enforce the 2’s rule
• Train your volunteer staff
• Regular training will make your policies effective
• Medical training & safety training should all be current and rehearsed
• “Common sense assumes there is no common sense”
• Make the plans visible and easy & tools within reach
• Document, Document, Document (protecting your church, kids, & staff)
• Any incident or Injury should be documented and signed by a parent
• Medical release forms should be on hand when parents are not
• Define incident or injury for your team

7. Emergency Action Plan
• STAY CALM! Your the leaders, people will react
to your ability to lead especially during a major incident
• Natural Disaster - be prepared to assist medical personnel, HAVE A PLAN,
talk to your Fire Department - Train your staff & review it often
• Medical Emergency - The key is communication. HAVE A PLAN. You don’t
need 10 people calling 911. Send a trustworthy person street side to guide
first responders to the right location. You only need 1 person per entry.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
• Safety Incident (Active Shooter or Subject with a gun)
• Prepare - HAVE A PLAN. (Start with air horns, etc) Educate your staff
on lock-down.
• WE WANT THE ROOM LOCKED AND TO APPEAR EMPTY
• A gunman will not spend 5 minutes attempting to breach a locked
empty room
• Make your church or facility available for emergency agency trainings
• How to respond to active shooter

8. •
Mandated Reporting
• If it’s questionable, call!
• Know your state’s reporting laws
• Develop a system for your staff
•
Food Policies
• Consider the use of an allergy form or bracelet
• Train your teachers to respond to surprise snacks
• Always have an allergen free option on hand
•
Safety Software or Policies
• Who arrived, who’s there, who left, and who can take them
• Be willing to have an “alert” for custody issues
• If you use a system, use it!
• Workers should be trained to use the same routine for everyone.
•
Follow your own rules and expect the same of your staff!

9. •
How to write your policies
• Know your state laws regarding caring for kids
• Know your problems
• Know your church’s culture
• Don’t over complicate the policy & procedure
• Make it well known
1. State the purpose
2. Brainstorm the worst case scenario
3. Form a plan to prevent the scenario that aligns with the law and honors
your church’s beliefs and culture
4. Form a draft
5. Rehearse it
6. Present to elders or administrator (if successful)
7. Return to step 3 until step 5 is successful
8. Make sure they don’t conflict

12. Beyond Background Checks