You should have received your customized Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
We encourage your leadership team to review it carefully and reach out to us with any questions or needed clarifications.
Your EOP is long, and that is intentional. It includes important items like the Promulgation Statement, Record of Changes, and other required planning elements outlined by FEMA in their guide for developing high-quality Emergency Operations Plans for Houses of Worship.
Review the entire plan to make sure it fits your church’s goals, mission, and unique situation.
Review the full Emergency Operations Plan
Complete Annex A, the Communications Plan, with your church’s specific points of contact
Print your maps and include them in Annex B with your internal and external evacuation maps
Meet with your leadership team to review the plan and confirm accuracy
Add anything your church needs and remove anything that does not apply
Review the finalized plan with your staff and security team including key procedures like:
Ensure your team understands the plan and knows how to use it. That means you need a well trained team. Check out the information below about Shamar’s comprehensive security team onboarding option.
Once your team is established and onboarded, continue regular, in-person training, including evacuation drills, shelter-in-place drills, lockdown drills, and ongoing security training.
Update and adjust the plan as your church grows or changes.
Follow your plan, and above all, trust and follow God in every part of your ministry, including emergency response and security.
Our 12-month all-access pass for Church Security Team Training makes onboarding simple and effective, giving your entire team the skills and knowledge they need to protect your church. This fast-moving, scenario-based course covers routine security operations, situational awareness, threat recognition, decision-making under stress, and responses to both nonviolent and violent incidents. Participants complete interactive quizzes and earn a certificate upon completion, and new team members can get started immediately by using your access code. This training ensures your team is aligned, mission-focused, and prepared to prevent incidents, respond safely, and support your church’s ministry in any situation.
