ARE WE PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED?
Several months ago Bill and I attended a workshop in Chambersburg titled Congregation Security. It was attended by a surprising number of people from many churches in the area. The workshop was sponsored by the South Central PA Task Force which is a non-profit organization that helps businesses, industry, governments and churches learn about, prepare for and recover from different types of disasters. Then this past August Mike and I attended a workshop in Lancaster, sponsored by the same group, that was much longer and covered more topics. We heard from the state police, sheriff’s department, fire and emergency medical personal, the district attorney’s office and security experts from the task force.
We learned that there are many different types of crisis that we need to prepare for, such as crime, terrorism, medical emergencies, fire, floods, snowstorms, and accidents. You might say “this is a House of Worship we don’t need to worry about those kinds of things”. I wish I could say that was true but the truth is churches are considered soft targets for many types of crime. A medical emergency can happen anytime, anywhere and one lit candle can cause a major fire. What would happen if there was a fire in the Episcopal Square, Episcopal Home or a flood like we had in 1972 from hurricane Agnes. What if a winter storm closed Rt. 81 and stranded hundreds of people, like it did last winter to our west or a train that was hauling dangerous chemicals derailed right outside of town. Will we be prepared to help?
Terrorism is really not a concern for this area according to the FBI and Homeland security. I do get updates on this weekly. We are luckily that we live in an area with low crime rates and three very good police forces (Shippensburg, University, and State Police) that patrol the area. Our town is not without crime though, drug related crime, arson, shootings, home and business robbery are not unheard of. Many churches in the area have been entered and money and valuables taken. Here at St. Andrew’s we have had some problems in the past but nothing was taken and corrective measures have been put in place. Our biggest problem is vandalism, where spray paint is used. This seems to happen about once a year somewhere on our property. I would advise that if you see something out of the ordinary to report it to Mike Rhodes or me as soon as possible. Also, if you are in the building alone keep the doors locked and make sure to lock all doors when you leave.
Medical emergencies are rare but they have happened and we are prepared if something happens again. If an emergency happens your vergers may ask you to help in some way but until we do let us handle it. If you are a doctor or nurse please let us know. You may be asked to call 911 or go to the Episcopal Home and ask the LPN on duty to give aid. You may also be asked to wait outside to direct the first responders and hold the doors for them. If we feel there is a need we will ask everyone to go to the PLC and continue the service there and we will update you when we know more.
A fire can start in the blink of eye for many different reasons and we have prepared for it as best possible. Fire extinguishers are in place throughout the building and we ask everyone to observe the locations, so that if needed they can be gotten quickly. If you do not know how to use a fire extinguisher we will be glad to teach you. The Nave is equipped with an alarm system, if this sounds the fire companies are called by the alarm company. We ask everyone to leave the building as quickly as possible. The PLC is also equipped with an alarm system and a sprinkler system. If the alarm sounds, leave as quickly as possible, the fire department will have already been called. If there is an emergency at the Episcopal Home part of our alarm system is tied in with theirs so our outside alarm may sound, the residents of the Home will be moved to the PLC by the Home staff.
No one can be completely prepared for natural or sometimes manmade disasters but there may be ways that we can help. A flood, snowstorm, power outage, major fire, or accident could easily displace hundreds of people and overwhelm our local hotels and other shelters. Could we open our doors as we have in the past? Unlike a lot of places we are not totally dependent on electric for heat and to prepare food. We could give people a warm place to stay until the danger is over? Will you be prepared to help?
All of us hope and pray that none of this will ever happen but sometimes it does. Can we say that we are prepared for the unexpected?