Disasters and Faith-Based Organizations

New 62 page report: HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL Draft Report: Preventing Targeted Violence Against Faith-Based Communities; DRAFT, December 17, 2019.

Update: Useful article describing this new report and its significance. See:
HSAC Outlines Urgent Steps to Secure Faith Community from ‘New Age’ of Domestic Terrorism

Update on Jan.5: Homeland Security chief orders review of protections for religious groups after recent attacks

The Dept. of Homeland Security has provided this YouTube video on Protecting Houses of Worship.

Although not aimed at houses of worship, this free guide may be useful. See: Active Shooter Protocol for Facility Managers.

From the NY Times:

Security Framework document (116 pp.) brought to my attention from the NYC Jewish Community Relations Council, but seemingly of interest to many.

Update: As of 4:30pm today there is news of an attempted attack on a synagogue in Colorado.  Improving security is an urgent matter!

This is a good time to review your facility’s security protocols to ensure that they reflect the current need for heightened vigilance. We suggest that you download JCCA’s Security Readiness:A Framework for Security at Jewish Community Centers (JCCs), YM and YWHAs, and Camps. The publication is a valuable tool for all kinds of organizations and the chapter on a “Security Escalation Plan” on pp. 42ff. features six indicators that should cause you to consider escalating security and the included checklist is a helpful template to build an effective response.

From HSToday: Potential ISIS Retaliation, Holiday Season Put Houses of Worship on Guard

New report on this topic: Overcoming Extremism in the Private and Public Sectors
The Anti-Defamation League has released the final report from the Communities Overcoming Extremism (COE) Public and Private Sector Summits. The After Charlottesville Project Final Report is a compilation of outcomes from the two conferences dealing with domestic terrorism and far-right extremism following the Charlottesville attack in 2017.

See:  Strategic Framework for Countering Terrorism and Targeted Violence.