Church Arson Prevention

Arson robs congregations of their valuable assets, lives and property. The burning of a house of worship is a stressful event; it not only devastates the affected congregation, but wounds the entire community resulting in the decline of the neighborhood by causing a decrease in property values and an increase in insurance premiums.  No matter what motivates the arsonist a congregation views it as an attack on their beliefs and values.

When people attend church they like to think they will be safe.  But according to the U.S. Fire Administration there are on average only 103 churches burned by arsonists every year.  Churches are more vulnerable to fire damage because they’re often unoccupied for long periods of time and often found in rural areas.  Because of delays in discovering the fire, and longer response times, rural properties will usually sustain more severe damage.

Let me ask you a question, “If there was an arson event damaging property and shaking up the congregation’s sense of spiritual well-being, would you be prepared?”

Churches are meant to be safe and inviting, open to all who wish to come worship, to learn, and improve their lives.  Things that make a church welcoming and spiritually soothing can also be perfect cover for an arsonist; subdued exterior lighting, lush landscaping against church buildings walls, and more. 

Here are a few reasons for these attacks:

1) Easy target since empty most of the time

2) Religious intolerance

3) Media coverage

4) Vandalism

5) Mental illness

Regardless of the reason these attacks are taking place in churches around the country, the time to act, to make plans, is right now!

What can you do to protect your church?  Here are three factors you can address to help prevent this from happening to your church and congregation:

A. External Security

    1) Better illumination of the building exterior and entrances.  All criminals fear light.

    2) Trim or cut back shrubbery that blocks the view of the church building.

    3) Clean up.  Remove anything around the outside of the building that an arsonist can use to fuel a fire.

B. Internal Security

    1) Install smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system.

    2) Keep doors and windows locked

    3)  Clean up.  Remove anything around the inside of the building that an arsonist can use to fuel a fire.  

C. Community Awareness

    1) Issue a proclamation declaring your community’s commitment to preventing arson in Houses of Worship.

    2) Use posters or handouts to spread the word about arson prevention.

    3) Establish an arson watch program. 

It’s impossible to prevent all crimes of arson; that’s why creating an environment reducing the chance of your worship center being targeted, and reducing the risk of damage and injury, is so important.

Be Safe!

Russ Sharrock

I have made available for FREE, to anyone interested, a series of Do-it-Yourself forms that can be printed for your use:

1) A Safety & Security Risk Assessment form.

2) Church Emergency Plan Template

3) General Fire Safety Checklist

4) A Bomb Threat Checklist

5) A Bomb Threat Distance chart for various types of explosive devises to be referred to in the event of a bomb threat evacuation.  These are minimum distances to evacuate away from the area of explosion.

These Word documents can be changed as necessary to fit your church size and needs.  I will be adding new forms as time allows. 

For a copy of any of these forms, or if you have any questions, you can contact me at: 

 

Integrity Security Consulting

Russ Sharrock

405-762-2471 | integrityseccon@hotmail.com