Creating security is an ongoing process. Shocking events reported in the media can cause congregations to take immediate action on emergency and security issues, but emergency planning is a long-term process. Regularly updating plans and policies, as well as keeping the congregation informed and trained, requires consistent attention.

Preparing for Natural Disasters

• FEMA's Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Houses of Worship (PDF) helps congregations plan for the spectrum of threats and hazards they may face.
• Ready.Gov provides information on preparation on many different kinds of emergencies that aren’t set out above. These resources can help you plan for risks in your particular area:
  • Hurricane Preparedness
  • Earthquake Preparedness
  • Tornado Preparedness
  • Wildfire Preparedness
• Webinar: Before Disaster Strikes from the UUA's MidAmerica Region.

Minimizing Hazards in Your Building

• Church Mutual's Self-Inspection Safety Checklist (PDF) and Buildings and Grounds Safety Page can help you keep the people who use your building safe.
• Church Mutual's Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls

Federal Resources for Houses of Worship

The US Federal Government recognizes that religious communities (termed “houses of worship”) face unique threats to our safety, as our free exercise is protected under the Constitution. The Federal agencies most focused on safety for houses of worship include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), both part of the Department of Homeland Security. They provide helpful downloadable resources and trainings. While it is appropriate that our country recognize the need to ensure safety for religious communities, we acknowledge that Federal surveillance has also been used to surveil and target religious groups.

**FEMA Grants (time sensitive)**

• Nonprofit Security Grant Program

Periodically, FEMA offers significant one-time grants to nonprofits and houses of worship for safety and security investments, which are administered through states. There is currently a grant application period open, closing in January 2025. UU congregations have received funding through this program in the past, allowing them to protect their members and property in ways that they could not have otherwise afforded. In considering whether to apply, congregations should note that these grants typically require a detailed application, though applications vary by state. Information that is submitted becomes available to state and Federal homeland security agencies. It is important to recognize that closer relationships with law enforcement and Federal agencies come with risks for exposure, which vary given the agency, location, and identities of congregational members and partners. For example, if a congregation is concerned about surveillance, or has been a sanctuary church or supports undocumented people, these resources may not be worth the risk. Additionally, state and Federal grants often come with strict reporting requirements or may be reimbursement-only, and governmental agencies may request more information once grants are awarded to audit their use. Congregations should carefully review application requirements and evaluate these tradeoffs in considering whether to apply for these grants.

Preventing Violence at Church

Addressing Political Harassment and Threats of Violence

Our 2023 workshop and resource event for congregations, Threats from Without, Care from Within, is available in its entirety on UUInstitute.org. The panel, the workshops, and the handouts and links offer congregations guidance on preventing, preparing for, and responding to the targeting of congregations and their leaders by political extremists.

An Ecology of Community Safety was created by the team at Building Congregational Community Safety to help congregations of all faiths build collective safety in the context of rising extremism. The toolkit helps congregations create one-, five-, and 10-year plans, breaking down the sometimes overwhelming task of planning for all possibilities. An Ecology of Community Safety is part of their larger Building Congregational Community Safety initiative. This project was previously known as the "Community Safety for All" campaign by SURJ-Faith.

Planning for Active Shooter Emergencies

The UUA has a planning guide for active shooter incidents, developed by our Safe Congregations team and incorporating wisdom from a variety of resources.

See sample active shooter emergency resources developed by our congregations.

Additionally, Unitarian Universalist congregations have found the following guides helpful in developing safety plans for active shooter and lockdown situations. Please note that several of these resources originate with various branches of the Federal Government. While we've found all of these resources useful, the UUA does not endorse one particular entity over another.

• FEMA’s Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Houses of Worship (PDF) includes: Preparing for an active shooter incident, planning, sharing information with first responders, exercises, warning Signs, threat assessment teams, responding to an active shooter incident and after an Incident.
• Church Mutual Insurance Company's ALICE Program: ALICE stands for Alert|Lockdown|Inform|Counter|Evacuate. Through preparation and planning, individuals and organizations are empowered to more proactively handle the threat of an aggressive intruder or active shooter event.
• The Department of Homeland Security's template for congregational planning purposes: Template: Active Shooter Emergency Action Plan (PDF)
• Books from Christianity Today's Church Law and Tax Store include Protecting Your Church from Crime and Violence ($14.95) and Confronting Gun Violence at Church ($17.95) .
• Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency's Active Shooter Recovery Guide “is intended to assist in the proactive implementation of policies and procedures that position organizations to effectively recover from an active shooter incident, providing the best support structure for their employees, contractors, visitors, patrons, family members, and the community at large.”