Checklist: Church Security/Safety Equipment

Here is a list of equipment suggestions to include in your church security/safety office and as carried tools (depending on how many tools you want to carry, you may want to wear a sling bag, hip bag, or cargo pants):

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Checklist: Categories and Their Items for Every Day Carry (EDC) ]

OFFICE

• Church Security Team Prayer tacked on the office bulletin board
• Church security/safety and medical reference resources

[ Get the SemperVerus booklet, The Case for Biblical Self-Defense ]

• Blueprint outline of the church building(s) with locations marked of exits, classrooms, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, AED, and medical equipment
• Diagram of evacuation routes and safe rooms
• List of emergency phone numbers
• Two-way radios battery charger
• Can of compressed air duster (to clear radio earpiece tube of any obstruction)

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Security: Radio Communications Best Practices ]

• Extra batteries in all sizes
• Fully stocked first aid bag
• Bottle of acetaminophen and of ibuprofen (acetaminophen only helps reduce pain and fever; ibuprofen has the added benefit of reducing inflammation and swelling at the site of an injury)

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Directory of Medical Kit Resources ]

• Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Wheelchair
• Reflective vests, flashlight wands, and traffic cones for parking lot vehicle direction
• Umbrella(s)
• Barricade tape/ribbon and/or retractable belt stanchion(s) for crowd control
• Tabletop scenario exercises

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Security Training: Decision Decks Help You Think Through a Crisis Before It Happens ]

• Supply of headlamps
• Emergency high-lumen lantern(s)
• Chemical light sticks (red)
• Industrial extension cord(s)
• Duct tape
• Work gloves
• Paracord
• Supply of individually wrapped hard candy and small water bottles to use as mood modifiers in helping to de-escalate disrupters (for individual carry)
• Pens and clipboard with attached Incident Report forms

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Tactical Training for Individuals and Church Security Teams to Thwart Active Violence Incidents (Part 1) ]

CARRY

• Master key (digital and physical) to the building and rooms
• Cell phone with camera
• Two-way radio with microphone & earpiece
• Tactical flashlight
• Tactical pen & notepad
• Portable “pocket” fire extinguisher or fire blanket
• Knife (Swiss Army and/or defensive)
• Multitool
• Tourniquet
• IFAK that can address minor ailments (adhesive bandages, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc.) as well as trauma (pressure dressing, Z-fold gauze, a pair of chest seals, etc.)
• Discreet body armor
• OC spray (gels don’t splatter and aerosolize like sprays do, resulting in less unintentional contamination of elderly and innocents)

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Tactical Training for Individuals and Church Security Teams to Thwart Active Violence Incidents (Part 2) ]

• Emergency car window breaker and seat belt cutter
• Pocket monocular (to assist in identifying from a distance suspicious behavior, license plates, etc.)
• Doorjamm(s) or Door Stop(s)
• Lanyard “Church Security/Safety” badge
• DSM banners (“Don’t Shoot Me”) (to identify you as a “good guy”)
• Possibly consider obtaining restraint devices (e.g., handcuffs, flex cuffs, etc.) and getting trained in their proper usage to prevent positional asphyxiation and injury
• Concealed firearm and holster, self-defense ammunition, and extra magazines

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Self-Defense Legal Insurance Options ]

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of CHURCH SECURITY ]

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