Buckling Up for Safety

Equipment and Supplies

This article is based on several Church Security Guide articles, a couple of Safety Member Certification training modules, and several Sheepdog Church Security blog articles.[1][2][3]

From the Bible

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

Stand therefore, having your loins [waist] girded about [belted] with truth ... (Ephesians 6:14).

Wherefore gird up [buckle up] the loins of your mind ... (1 Peter 1:13).

Introduction

To most people now, "buckling up" means fastening the seat belt & shoulder strap. It originally referred to fastening the belt on a soldier's uniform or a worker's work clothes. That belt was not to hold the clothes in place. It was to hold the weapons and tools. Consequently, buckling up came to mean getting ready to do a job, including readiness of mind and being fully-equipped. In a church safety ministry, we need to be buckled up (fully-equipped and mentally ready) to keep the flock safe.

On the Web

It is hard to find actual news stories about what equipment and supplies are needed for a church safety/security ministry. Many of the web pages that recommend items name those sold by the owners of the sites. There are also some non-commercial sites with recommendations we can use.

Ministry of Defense, Innovative Tactical Concepts - A flashlight is needed by every member of a church safety team. Also needed are pouches or holsters for carrying them and other items on one's service belt, the flashlight, defensive spray, radio, phone, etc. One relatively new item is the personal-size ballistic shield.[4]

Risk Strategy Group - Cody Martin, a co-founder of Risk Strategy Group, wrote a guide to medical equipment churches should have. He recommends an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), basic First Aid kits, trauma kits, and life-saving devices. He does provide details on these.[5]

Tithe.ly - The website created to help parishioners tithe, even when they could not attend in person, now also helps with church management. This includes a blog with news and advice. On this blog, Daniel Berk wrote "15 Church Security & Safety Best Practices." Number 11 is "Invest in church safety technology." This includes security cameras, two-way radio communications, and an AED. He briefly describes the value and use of each.[6]

Covenant Security - This seller of security equipment has some sober advice for places of worship: The places where people come in and go out are "the weakest point of security." They are also the locations with the most traffic. Covenant's recommendation is bullet-proof doors with locks and hardware that are heavy duty.[7]

Religious Product News - A 2018 article reposted from 2015 was "7 Critical Essentials for Church Security." Three of the seven items qualify as equipment and/or supplies:

• Check-in System for children & events using programmable tags
• Emergency Response Team Kits
• Communications (two-way radios)[8]

CornerStone Protection - "How Can You Improve Your Church Security?" This is the title of a blog article on the CornerStone Protection website. The main section of this article is "What is the Best Security System for a Church?" The author's recommendations are these:

1. Security Monitoring Systems for Churches include motion detectors and sensors for doors and windows.
2. Surveillance Camera Systems include the cameras, the monitors, and both in situ and remote alerts.
3. Access Control Systems consist of secure frames, locks, and hinges, along with electronic control of the locks with only privileged access.

The conclusion is to put these all together in a unified system.[9]

The Lead Pastor - In "11 Step Church Security Checklist To Keep Your Church Safe," Cody Perez includes four items which can be included in equipment and supplies. These are:

Walkie-talkies or two-way radios for communication,

• Signs and maps in public areas to inform and guide visitors during evacuations.
• Security cameras in strategic locations. They must be monitored.
• Equipment in children's ministries for checking children in and out.[10]

What Safety Equipment and Supplies Do We Need?

This can be a very long list, but a few of these items are more essential than the others.

Kinds of safety equipment and supplies:

• Structural Equipment and Fixtures
• Surveillance
• Administrative
• Medical Response
• Apparel
• Protective Gear
• Communication
• Custodial
• Personal Tools
• Sheltering Supplies

Structural Equipment and Fixtures

This category involves making changes to the buildings and/or campus. These changes must be authorized and managed by the congregation's governing committee. The Church Safety Committee may request them, make recommendations, and assist in the planning. This also includes repairs and modifications to make the facilities safer.

• Strong doors and windows
• Good locks - may include system-wide locking system
• Fire alarms and extinguishers
• Fire prevention modifications
• Fire suppression system(s)
• Sprinklers
• Kitchen, furnace, and utility room fire suppressors
• Childcare and children's classrooms
• Visibility
• Structural access control
• Vehicle safety items

Surveillance

This is not a substitute for patrols.

• Cameras and monitors
• Door and window entry sensors
• Motion sensors

Administrative

"The job is not finished until the paperwork is done." This is true for a Church Safety Ministry.

• Forms
• Training materials
• Books
• Logs and records
• Applications: For more suitable placement and to aid in vetting staff and volunteers, have everyone fill out and submit an application.
• Staff application
• Volunteer application
• Safety ministry application
• Pastoral, leadership, and teaching application
• Background-check permission form

Medical Response

"Accidents will happen," they say. So do medical emergencies. We need to be prepared to respond to both accidental injuries and medical emergencies.

• First Aid Cabinets
• First Aid Kits
• Trauma Bags
• First Aid and trauma supplies
• AEDs

Apparel

• Uniforms and/or name tags
• Safety banners for identification by responding police
• Safety shoes
• Outerwear
• Belts, pouches, and holsters

Protective Gear

• Protective sprays
• Other non-lethal weapons
• Firearms and knives
• Body armor and/or shields

Communication

• Two-way radios and accessories
• Include a crank radio in case power is out for a long time
• Note-taking items
• Weather radios
• Optional - police/fire scanner
• Phones
• Mass notification services
• Signage (to inform the public)

Custodial

• We are not the janitors, but we do need to keep the place safe in case of accidental hazards or icy weather.
• Cleaning supplies: Enhance safety by immediately cleaning up safety hazards.
• Safety barriers
• Snow removal tools
• Surface safety material -
• Salt and sand
• Absorbents for spills and leaks

Personal Tools

These items are purchased and owned by the team members themselves.

• Flashlights
• Multi-tool
• Camera (can be on phone)
• Glass breaker

Sheltering Supplies

During severe weather and local disasters, persons inside the church may have to shelter-in-place for days, or the church may become a shelter for refugees from severe weather or disasters (from the Church Security Guide article "Preparing Your Church for Natural Disasters").

• Whistle (to signal for help)
• NOAA weather radio
• First Aid supplies
• Clean water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Nonperishable, ready-to eat food (granola bars, canned goods)
• Manual can opener
• Hygiene items (toilet paper, feminine supplies, moist towelettes)
• Infant supplies such as bottles, formula, diapers
• Flashlights (we recommend at least one crank-operated flashlight), extra batteries

Sources of Safety Equipment and Supplies

Where can we procure needed equipment and supplies for church safety and security? Many items are available on Amazon. Several special products are sold only by the manufacturers or their designated distributors. There are several listed on Sheepdog Church Security's Amazon store, Recommended Equipment for Safety Ministries. Medical response supplies are available at the SDCS affiliate Mountain Man Medical.[11][12]

Recommended Equipment for Safety Ministries

Sheepdog Church Security has a store on Amazon, Recommended Equipment for Safety Ministries. The tag on the URL is /instructor_moloney. The flag item is his book Defending the Flock: A Security Guide for Church (2nd edition). Click on the book and up comes the listing of all items for sale, beginning with the flag book and two others, Shepherding the Sheepdogs: A Self-Study Guide for Leading a Safety Ministry and Active Shooter Mitigation: A Training Guide for Houses of Worship. All these are authored by Kris.

Following the books are fourteen items: pepper gel spray, utility knife, two flashlights, weather/emergency radio, six medical response items, door stopper, and two evacuation aids.

• SABRE Pepper Gel - The pepper gel can make 35 shots, useful against several attackers. However, it cannot be shipped to all locations because of state or local regulations.
• Schrade 7.3in Folding Knife - This assisted-opening folding knife has many uses. It has saw serrations on the rear edge of the 2.9" carbon stainless steel blade, and the aluminum handle is sturdier than plastic handles. The 2.9 inch length of the blade will classify it as non-lethal or less lethal in most states, but it's advisable to first check your state and local laws.
• Lumens Rechargeable Tactical LED Flashlight - As a tactical flashlight, this is roll resistant and designed for a secure grip. It has several light options: temporary light, adjustable light levels, strobe. It comes with a charging cradle.
• ULTRAFIRE Traffic Control Wand Led Flashlight - The wand is for directing traffic or guiding an evacuation. The threaded wand is detachable so the flashlight can be clipped to the belt.
• Midland - WR300, Deluxe NOAA Emergency Weather Alert Radio - With S.A.M.E. technology, you can get alerts specifically for your location. It has an AM/FM radio and is battery-powered with an AC adapter.
• Rapid Care First Aid Cabinet - Everyone needs one is the general rule. Available in three sizes:
• 2-shelf has 524 First Aid pieces, enough for up to 100 persons.
• 3-shelf has 576 First Aid pieces, enough for up to 150 persons.
• 4-shelf has 747 First Aid pieces, enough for up to 250 persons.
• Philips HeartStart Home AED Defibrillator - Every church should have an AED and members who've been trained to use it. The Philips HeartStart has voice commands that give step-by-step guidance. It also guides the user in CPR.
• Ergodyne Arsenal 5215 Large Medic First Responder Trauma Duffel Bag - This big bag can carry enough in it to cover several injuries in one incident, whether accidental or intentional.
• CAT Combat Application Tourniquet - If you guessed that "CAT" means "Combat Application Tourniquet," you're right. The official U.S. Army tourniquet, it can be quickly applied and has a place to write the time of application.
• Dynarex Emergency Pressure Bandage (Israeli Type) - Another quick-apply tourniquet, this can cover torso or head wounds by placing pressure directly on the wound. As such, it can be left on longer than a regular tourniquet, so it doubles as a dressing.
• Moore Medical Airway Kit - Sometime we need to get past a victim's breathing blockages. These airways come in five sizes. They go from the nostrils through the nasal passage and into the windpipe (trachea).
• Gotega Door Stopper - In a lockdown, doors need to be closed and locked as soon as possible. The Gotega allows doors set at close-to-lock to be left open or ajar. When a lockdown is called, just step on the lever, and the door jam is released, allowing the door to close. No time wasted fumbling with the key or buttons.
• Brand New World WR99 Safety Walking Rope - Evacuating a bunch of pre-schoolers can be a challenge. Many classes have had success using walking ropes like this. Taking the children for outings with the walking rope conditions them to using it, so they already know how in an emergency.
• LINE2design EMS Ambulance 4 Wheels Stair Chair - This certainly beats getting an ordinary wheelchair up or down stairs. The LINE2Design evacuation chair enables two persons to carry it front and back while walking forward - no walking backwards down the stairs.

Mountain Man Medical

Mountain Man Medical (M3) was started to provide emergency medical response equipment and supplies at affordable prices. Kris worked with them developing two kits, the Sheepdog Belt IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) and the Mass Casualty Trauma Kit.

• The Sheepdog Belt IFAK prepares the safety team member for responding to an injury.
• The Mass Casualty Trauma Kit has a large bag with supplies for treating several major trauma injuries in a mass casualty incident, such as a disaster, severe weather causing structural failure, a van or bus accident, or an active shooter.

M3 has supplies for re-filling the kits.

SDCS Resources

Blog Articles

Several articles on equipment and supplies have already been posted on Sheepdog Church Security. Some of these have more details on some of the items. Here's a short list:

• Basically Equipped (August 16, 2021)
• Equipped for Code Blue (May 3, 2021)
• Equipping to Protect (December 21, 2020)
• Equipping the Hands (December 14, 2020)
• Buckled Up for Safety (July 16, 2018)

Church Security Guide Articles

These articles in the Church Security Guide either name or refer to equipment and supplies related to their topics:

• Church Safety Team Basics -
• Identifying Apparel
• Fire Safety in the Church -
• Fire Exit Signs,
• Emergency Lights,
• Alarm Pulls,
• Fire Extinguishers
• Preparing Your Church for Natural Disasters -
• Whistle to signal for help
• NOAA weather radio
• First Aid supplies
• Clean water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Nonperishable, ready-to eat food (granola bars, canned goods)
• Manual can opener
• Hygiene items (toilet paper, feminine supplies, moist towelettes)
• Infant supplies such as bottles, formula, diapers
• Flashlights (we recommend at least one crank-operated flashlight) and extra batteries
• For under $20 a self-powered (crank) flashlight that is also a NOAA radio
• Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults in the Church -
• Record books/logs for checking children in/out of childcare.
• Worker in/out log for accountability.
• Incident report forms (in the "Reports and Forms Bundle").
• Report form for suspected child abuse (in the "Reports and Forms Bundle").

Free Downloads

Sheepdog Church Security has three free downloads about equipment and supplies:

• "7 Must-Have Equipment Items for Your Church Safety Team (And What to Look for When Selecting Them)" - Click *Must-Have Equipment* to get it.[13]
• "Reports and Forms Bundle" - Click *Reports* to get it.[14]
• "Safety Member Training Record" - Click *Training Record* to get it.[15]

Conclusion

Semper paratus, the Boy Scout motto, means, "Always prepared." Always prepared includes being always equipped and supplied. When we need something in an emergency, it is too late to get it.

Training Note

All Safety Team members should be trained and certified. Certify through the Safety Member Certification program with its eight training modules. Train through Individual Certification (self-paced instruction), Online Events (live Zoom classes), or a combination of the two. An entire team can be enrolled together. Here is the Online Events schedule through the rest of this year:

References

1. Kris Moloney, Church Security Guide, Sheepdog Church Security, 2018 [https://sheepdogchurchsecurity.net/church-security-guide].
2. Kris Moloney, Safety Member Certification, Sheepdog Church Security [https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/bundles/safety-member-certification].
3. Kris Moloney, Church Security Articles, Sheepdog Church Security [https://sheepdogchurchsecurity.net/church-security-articles/].
4. Admin, "Church Security Team Equipment Part 1," Ministry of Defense, Innovative Tactical Concepts, February 13, 2016 [http://ministry-of-defense.com/category/church-security-equipment/].
5. Cody Martin, "What Medical Equipment Should a Church Have? A Comprehensive Guide," Risk Strategy Group, undated [https://riskstrategygroup.com/what-medical-equipment-should-a-church-have-a-comprehensive-guide/].
6. Daniel Berk, "15 Church Security & Safety Best Practices," Tithe.ly, May 29, 2020 [https://get.tithe.ly/blog/church-security].
7. Anon, "Church & Synogogue Safety," Covenant Security, undated [https://covenantsecurityequipment.com/pages/churches-synagogues].
8. Anon, "7 Critical Essentials for Church Security," Religious Product News, with information from ACTIVE Network (https://www.activenetwork.com/), November 8, 2018, originally appeared in the January 2015 issue [https://www.religiousproductnews.com/7-critical-essentials-for-church-security/].
9. Shannon Stone, "What is the Best Security System for a Church?" CornerStone Protection, May 19, 2020 [https://www.cornerstoneprotection.com/blog/church-security-solutions/].
10. Cody Perez, "11 Step Church Security Checklist To Keep Your Church Safe," The Lead Pastor, November 20, 2023 [https://theleadpastor.com/article/church-security-checklist/].
11. Kris Moloney, "Recommended Equipment for Safety Ministries," Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/shop/instructor_moloney].
12. Sheepdog Church Security affiliate link, Mountain Man Medical [https://www.mountainmanmedical.com/?aid=18].
13. Kris Moloney, "7 Must-Have Equipment Items for Your Church Safety Team (And What to Look for When Selecting Them)," Sheepdog Church Security, © Copyright 2017 [https://sheepdog-church-security.ck.page/8ad20a0b70].
14. Kris Moloney, "Reports and Forms Bundle," Sheepdog Church Security, 2021 [https://sheepdog-church-security.ck.page/31e9dcb23b].
15. Kris Moloney, "Safety Member Training Record," Sheepdog Church Security, © Copyright 2020 [https://sheepdog-church-security.ck.page/4bdb00c915].