SERT

On Sunday mornings, both entrances will be unlocked before Sunday School. Ten minutes after the worship service begins, SERT will lock the side door and at least one usher will remain in or near the front entryway to monitor the main doors.

• Remain calm.
• Proceed to the nearest exit as quickly as possible in an orderly manner.
• Follow the instructions of the SERT members.
• Take only essential personal items with you.
• DO NOT return for non-essential items once out of the building.
• Go to the parking lot, which is the designated evacuation area.
• Do not return to the building until the building is deemed safe by the ushers.

An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. These situations are unpredictable, evolve quickly, and may be over within minutes before law enforcement arrives. Time is critical.

1. Evacuate / Run

If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the building.

• Have an escape route and plan in mind.
• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.
• Leave your belongings behind. Help others escape, if possible.
• Prevent others from entering an area where the active shooter may be.
• Keep your hands visible when law enforcement arrives on scene.
• Follow the instructions of any police officers.
• Do not attempt to move wounded people.
• Call 911 when you are safe. If possible, give the location of the shooter, number of shooters, physical description, number and type of weapons, and number of potential victims.

2. Hide Out

If evacuation is not possible, find a place where the active shooter is less likely to find you.

• Stay out of the active shooter’s view.
• Find protection if shots are fired toward you. In a room, lock yourself in; lock windows and close blinds or curtains. Stay away from windows. Turn off lights, audio equipment, and cell phones. Barricade the door with heavy furniture or another obstruction.
• Try to remain calm and quiet. If possible, call 911 and leave the line open.
• Remain in place until found by a uniformed law enforcement officer.

3. Fight, as a last resort

Only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:

• Acting as aggressively as possible against the shooter.
• Throwing items and improvising weapons.
• Yelling and remaining committed to the actions you take.

First aid kits: Church office, children’s church classroom, and kitchen.

Call 911

• Give the number of people involved.
• Describe the nature of the injury or illness.
• Stay on the line until help arrives.

While waiting for medical help

• Do not move the ill or injured person unless safety requires moving them to a safer location.
• Do not give any medication.
• Assign someone to remain with the ill or injured person until help arrives.
• Assign someone to meet EMS in front of the church and bring them to the person.
• Unless you are trained or the victim is in an immediate life-threatening situation, DO NOT attempt first aid before trained assistance arrives.
• An AED is located in the office. Instructions for use are on the device.

When professionals arrive

• Allow responding units to take control. Stand by to assist as needed.

If the fire is not safe to extinguish, call 911 immediately and tell authorities where the fire is located.

• Follow the building evacuation plan.
• Do not panic; remain calm.
• Isolate the fire by closing doors.
• Proceed to the parking lot.
• Do not break windows because oxygen feeds a fire.
• Fire extinguishers are located throughout the building.

Fire extinguisher: PASS

• P — Pull pin.
• A — Aim at bottom of fire.
• S — Squeeze trigger.
• S — Sweep base of fire side to side.

If severe weather is announced, move immediately to the designated tornado shelter: the lower-level hallway near the restrooms. Move quickly, but do not run. Assist disabled people. Remain there until SERT members or church staff announce that it is safe to leave.

Tornado safety basics

• Move away from windows. If there is time, close blinds or shades to help prevent flying glass and debris.
• Warn others and encourage them to go immediately to the designated shelter.
• Move away from large expanses of unsupported ceilings.
• Move away from the building perimeter to an interior room away from windows.
• Crouch as low as possible. If you cannot reach a safer place, get under a desk or table in an interior room.
• Protect your face and head, and remain until the signal is given.