Welcome to Tuscaloosa Stake

Meetinghouse Emergency Guidelines

Guidelines for dealing with an armed intruder or other serious security incidents in a Church meetinghouse:

If an armed intruder is encountered, do what the person instructs.  Do not antagonize him.  Avoid defiant or confrontational behavior or words.
If an armed intruder demands cash, including tithing and other donations, give him what he asks for without hesitation.

Notify police (911) immediately of any serious emergency.
If an active shooter enters a building, close, lock, and barricade interior doors.  Teachers and students remain in barricaded classrooms until cleared by the police or an adult leader.
In a barricade situation, remain low to the floor and away from windows and doors.

Evacuation
If evacuation is a safer alternative than remaining in place, move quickly to the nearest safe exit and away from the building or source of danger.
Exit quietly; noise may draw the attention of the assailant.  Adults will ensure that all children are supervised and accounted for.

Leave personal belongings behind.  Do not carry purses, scriptures, or other items which could be mistaken for a weapon by responding police.
If leaving a building when police are on scene, exit with both arms above the head; hands opened and fingers extended.

During an exchange of gunfire between police and an intruder, immediately lie on the floor and remain on the floor until instructed by police to move.
A mature leader should be assigned to coordinate Ward security matters.  This assignment may include appropriate instruction to priesthood and auxiliary leaders on responding to serious incidents in meetinghouses.
All Ward and Stake teachers and leaders should be trained in the location of fire alarm pulls, building exits, procedures to lock interior doors, and building emergency procedures.

Except for sworn law enforcement officers, the Church counsels members not to bring firearms into meetinghouses or to Church events.  This policy includes members with state-issued civilian conceal carry weapon permits.

Questions regarding these instructions should be directed to Church Security
Guidelines for dealing with bomb threats or suspicious packages:

Bomb Threats To Churches
Most bomb threats are hoaxes, but all threats will be taken seriously.  Call the police.  They, not local leaders, will determine if the threat is serious.
If a written threat is received, call the police.  Minimize the handling of the written communication.  Save the letter, envelope, or any other material related to the threatening communication.

If an electronic threat is received, call the police.  Secure the device on which the threat was received for the police investigation.

If a telephonic threat is received, stay on the line and try to get as much information from the caller as possible.

Do not hang up, even if the caller disconnects.  Remain polite, interested.
A second person may contact the police during the telephone call, or contact the police when the call is finished.

Listen carefully.  Listen for language or voice peculiarities, background noises, etc.  If possible, take notes during the conversation.  If you cannot take notes during the call, write down your memories afterwards.

Ask the caller questions; he may answer.  These can be critical in determining the seriousness of the threat or in locating a bomb:
Where is the bomb?
What does it look like?
What time will it go off?
Why have you put a bomb here?
Local leaders may search for a suspicious package.  Do not use two-way radios or cell phones while searching.  Do not activate a fire alarm.  Do not turn light switches off or on.  Be cautious in opening doors.
Do not touch or move a suspicious package.

The decision to evacuate a meeting house may be made by priesthood leaders or by the police.  Factors to consider in deciding to evacuate:
Was a suspicious package found where the caller indicated?
Is there is history of bombings in the area?

Did the caller provide specifics such as the type of device, time it is set to go off, his motive, where it is, etc. that could indicate the threat is real?

Additional information on responding to and evaluating bomb threats and suspicious packages, including a bomb threat checklist, can be obtained from the Church Security or the Stake Emergency Preparedness Leader.  Questions regarding these instructions should be directed to Church Security or the Stake Emergency Preparedness leader.

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