Preparing for the Unthinkable: Armed Intruders

Church Mutual’s® experts share recommended prevention and response measures for schools, houses of worship and nonprofits

As America reemerges from the shadows of the pandemic, armed intruders are one threat organizations need to consider and plan for. Recent tragic events across our nation have compelled risk experts from Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. (a stock insurer)¹ to share their recommended prevention and response measures for schools, houses of worship and nonprofits, and answer common questions about armed intruder preparedness.

How can we bolster our security in general and specifically against armed intruder attacks?

There are many considerations for keeping your people and property safe, but here are foundational steps you can take.

Physical spaces and systems

• Control the access points to your building, ensuring all are locked or monitored. Keep exits clear.
• Complete regular checks of locks, doors, security cameras, lighting, alarms and gates. Fix anything that doesn’t work immediately.
• Make your security measures – including equipment and personnel – visible and obvious.

Communication

• Equip security personnel to communicate easily with each other from anywhere on your property.
• Keep members and staff informed on your security processes and procedures.

Training

• Implement a workplace violence prevention program and train all staff and volunteers.
• Conduct armed intruder drills regularly, just like fire drills.
• Include law enforcement officers in your training and provide them a facility map.

How can we prepare for an active shooter scenario?

Experts such as the ALICE Training Institute help organizations prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from incidents such as an armed intruder attack. This includes the basic tenets of response during an incident, captured in the ALICE acronym:

Alert – Recognize the signs of danger and take all alerts seriously.

Lockdown – If evacuation is not a safe option, barricade entry points into your room.

Inform – Communicate information to others in the building as clearly as possible.

Counter – As a last resort when confronted with an armed intruder, create noise, movement and other distractions to reduce a shooter’s ability to aim accurately.

Evacuate – Leave the area through doors, windows or other exits.

If community members want to help with security efforts, how might they contribute?

Members of your community can help by alerting you about concerning conversations or activities. Statistics show that individuals considering carrying out an act of violence may talk to others about their plans, both online and offline. Here are three ways you can proactively look for potential threats:

• Create a reporting system – Some people may be comfortable approaching organizational leadership with safety concerns, while others may not. Create an anonymous method for your members and the public to report information about potential threats.
• Follow the conversation about your organization on social media – Hopefully, you’ll mostly see positive interactions between your members, staff and community on platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. However, if there are disgruntled individuals signaling dangerous intentions, this may be an early warning of violence.
• Establish an investigative group – If a designated team receives all safety-related information, they will have the ability to see the big picture and assess when there is a credible, imminent threat – and when to share your data and analysis with local law enforcement.

Church Mutual also offers an armed intruder resource kit free on its website. It features, among other things, videos, checklists, FAQs, and important assessment and planning guides. To access the tools and information, visit: https://www.churchmutual.com/6421/Armed-Intruder.

While it is difficult even to think about threats such as an armed intruder attack, taking action now can help prepare your organization and secure your facilities.

About Church Mutual

Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I., founded in 1897, offers specialized insurance for religious organizations of all denominations, public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities, senior living facilities, secular and non-secular camps and conference centers, and nonprofit and human services organizations throughout the United States. Church Mutual markets most lines of commercial property and liability insurance, including multi-peril, workers' compensation and commercial auto insurance. In addition to insurance, Church Mutual provides a spectrum of value-added solutions that benefit its customers. Church Mutual holds the following honors:

• A.M. Best Company "A" (excellent) rating
• Wisconsin 75 Top Private Company by Deloitte US, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021
• Wisconsin 75 Distinguished Performer: Innovation by Deloitte US 2019
• 2021 Gallup Culture Transformation Award recipient
• 2020 Women and Diversity Award recipient from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association
• Futuremakers Partner by Wisconsin Technical College System
• Celent Model Insurer for innovation and emerging technologies
• Award in Innovation for entrepreneurialism and innovation by National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies
• 2018-2019 Employer of the Year by Northcentral Technical College

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