There are many resources to help congregations become safer. While congregations work through becoming safer and more secure, please also be aware that FEMA is now a part of the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA has some wonderful resources; however, Sanctuary Congregations should think through any trainings with governmental departments that currently work with ICE, particularly if the resource requires signing up for membership, such as an online workshop or DHS staff learning building-related information about Sanctuary congregations.

• Church Mutual has made most of its safety resources open to the public so you do not have to be insured by them to reach these resources on their website. The best way to access these resources is to go to Church Mutual, and then search for “Preparedness” resources. They have multiple checklists and you can also filter to include only those for houses of worship.
• Side with Love’s Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care. This toolkit is specifically for UUs.
• 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.
• The Lutheran Disaster Response Congregational Disaster Preparedness Guidebok (PDF) provides templates and an outline for developing a preparedness plan
• Assist your members in preparing at home with Red Cross: Prepare for Emergencies
• Hurricane Preparedness tips from the US Department of Homeland Security.
• Webinar: Before Disaster Strikes from the UUA’s MidAmerica Region.
• UUA Disaster Response and Resources
• Resources from the UU Trauma Response Ministry
• Good Planning Blunts Impact of Natural Disasters

Tabletop Exercises

For some congregations, it can be helpful to use “tabletop exercises” that help you run a scenario to see how your policies and procedures will work in “real time,” without being in a crisis. It is a good way to prepare. Church Mutual has openly available tabletop exercises for various weather related disasters, and well as human created situations. Simple go to Church Mutual and search for “Tabletop Exercises” to see the variety they offer.