American Church Group - Colorado

June Is National Safety Month - Week 1: Emergency Preparedness

The National Safety Council has designated June as National Safety Month, so we want to make sure your ministry is doing everything it can to protect its people, property, and programs. Each week in June, we’ll tackle a different topic. Up this week: Emergency Preparedness.

Preparing your ministry for an emergency is more important than ever in today’s world. Consider whether your ministry has a plan for the following scenarios.

1. A Natural Disaster

First, prioritize which natural disaster presents the biggest threat to your church. The vast expansion of communities into previously underdeveloped forests and wildlands in Colorado has created a greater threat of wildfires that could significantly damage your ministry’s property. The Colorado Department of Public Safety’s Division of Fire Prevention and Control recommends contacting your local fire department to determine the potential risk to your property due to wildfires. Next, ask local experts what to consider when constructing a natural disaster plan. Finally, decide what items to in your emergency inventory.

To assure your church’s preparedness, run through drills with staff and volunteers who will help guide people in case of an emergency, and keep a list of members designated to respond to an emergency.    

2. Medical Emergency

Accidents or medical emergencies during church and ministry activities are not uncommon. Assembling a medical response team and establishing guidelines for dealing with these incidents can help ensure quick and consistent aid for the injured, and can reduce the risk of future legal problems for your church or ministry.

Brotherhood Mutual’s article “Creating a Medical Emergency Response Team” has more helpful information about how to prepare for a medical emergency.  

3. A Violent Attack

Violent attacks at schools and churches are becoming increasingly common. Is your ministry prepared to respond should it become a target? If you don’t have one already, consider putting together a Safety and Security Team for your ministry. Then, equip them with the knowledge skills and practice they need to respond should a violent attack or other safety incident occur.

Brotherhood Mutual’s most recent issue of The Deacon’s Bench expands on this and other topics related to the security of your ministry.

We pray that your ministry never has to face any of these scenarios. By planning ahead, you can help your congregation prepare for the unknown. Check out the Safety and Security page on our website for more helpful resources for your ministry.