Since
1995, over 1,500 houses of worship have been damaged by fire or
bombing. Since that time, the National
Church Arson Task Force (NCATF) has monitored every incident
and identified common causes of fires. Many fires are preventable.
The purpose of this booklet is to share what we have learned with
the hope that it will help members of the faith community protect
their facilities.
This
online booklet includes checklists designed to assist in determining
your vulnerability to fire and bombing incidents. These guidelines
have been developed from years of investigating and studying causes
of fires, as well as from consultations with insurance companies
and fire prevention experts. Leaders in the faith community are
encouraged to utilize these checklists to see where improvements
can be made. The lists are not all inclusive. You are encouraged
to contact your local fire department, law enforcement agency or
insurance representative for additional assistance. Church Mutual
Insurance Company offers a 13-minute video with steps to protect
your house of worship. The video is available at no cost by calling
1-800-554-2642.
You
may communicate with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
(ATF) with any concerns or information regarding fires or bombings
at houses of worship. The ATF Church Arson Section may be contacted
through ATF's website at www.atf.treas.gov.
Once in the website, go to the related sites section where you will
find the link. There you will find the annual reports to the president,
this threat assessment guide, as well as a link which you may send
an e-mail. We encourage you to use the site for education and to
provide any pertinent information you have regarding crimes at houses
of worship. You may also visit the Federal Bureau of Investigation's
(FBI) website at www.fbi.gov.
ARSON
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Since
1995, the NCATF has recorded incidents of arson at almost 900 houses
of worship in the United States. Arson remains the leading cause
of fire at worship facilities. The first step in prevention is to
be aware of the potential for arson at your facility. Motives vary
widely: vandalism, pyromania, to cover up evidence of other crimes
(such as burglary), financial profit, retaliation, and racial/religious
discrimination (hate crimes).
Assess
your particular organization's potential to be a victim of an arson
attack. Are there disgruntled persons or disputes that could motivate
someone to commit arson? Also, be aware that if your congregation
is involved in controversial social or political issues, you may
be at risk of an attack.
Houses
of worship are particularly vulnerable to arson due to their frequent
periods of vacancy. Many houses of worship are only occupied a few
hours a week. This allows an arsonist a wide window of opportunity
to commit a crime. Help close this window of opportunity by requesting
that members of your congregation be attentive to the facility on
their way to work or shop. Many of your members are likely to drive
by your worship center many times during the week. Encourage them
to take a few moments and drive through the parking lot and check
the building. Increased activity around a house of worship may discourage
an arsonist.
Advise
them that if they encounter a suspicious person or activity, they
should call the police.
Also,
contact your local law enforcement agency and establish a rapport
with the officers who routinely patrol your area. Familiarize them
with times of worship and activities so that they will be alerted
when people are present during off hours.
Nearby
residents or business people may be an excellent resource in protecting
your house of worship. Get to know them and ask them to be on alert
for suspicious activity and to report it to the police. Provide
them with a contact person's name and telephone number to call if
they are not sure a vehicle or person should be at the building.
Studies
have identified that more fires occur on Halloween and Independence
Day. Ask your neighbors, members and police department to be especially
watchful during these times.
If
possible, install fire and burglar alarms at your house of worship.
Alarms often cost less than people think and can save your facility
in the event of a fire.
To
protect persons who are present in the event of a fire, prepare
an emergency evacuation plan. Post the plan on bulletin boards and
make sure all are familiar with it. Consider conducting periodic
fire drills. These are especially important if you have numerous
children in your congregation.
Use
the arson prevention checklist in this
booklet to help assess your vulnerability to arson. Your local fire,
police and insurance representative may provide additional assistance.
Finally,
consider the following steps to help prevent arson at your worship
facility:
- Cut
shrubbery and trees to provide better visibility.
- Do
not allow signs to block the view of the building.
- Secure
ladders and stairways that give access to the roof. Consider decorative
or wrought iron protection for windows.
- Install
floodlights to the exterior of the building.
ACCIDENTAL FIRES Go
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During
the past five years, the National Church Arson Task Force has
studied all houses of worship fires nationwide. We have learned
that many of the accidental fires could have been prevented.
Some
common causes of accidental fires at houses of worship and ways
to prevent them include:
- Construction/Maintenance
Tools - Never leave construction/maintenance tools
such as propane torch or soldering tools unattended.
- Improper
Storage of Combustible Material - Always store flammable liquids/materials
such as paint, paint thinners, cleaning solutions and propane
in a safe environment. Never store these items or any other flammable
materials near heat or flame.' Never store combustibles near a
furnace or water heater. Also, never store combustibles inside
or in storage areas near the building.
- Kitchen
Stoves/Coffee Makers (Appliances) - If you have kitchen facilities,
never leave kitchen stoves, coffee makers or any other electrical
appliance unattended. Always turn off and unplug your appliances
before leaving. Have a Type K fire extinguisher in your kitchen
and be sure all personnel know how to use it properly.
- Weather
Related Fires (Lightning Strike) - Houses of worship are particularly
vulnerable to lightening strikes. Your best protection is a lightning
protection system that has been certified by the Lightning Protection
Institute (LPI) or Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Your insurance
representative or fire department can provide more information.
- Malfunctioning
of Furnace/Air Conditioner - Annual inspections by qualified personnel
are recommended on all heating and air conditioning units to ensure
they are in safe working order.
- Malfunctioning
or Overheating of Water Heater in Baptismal Pool - Most manufacturers
and insurance representatives recommend the water be drained from
baptisteries after use. If draining the baptistery is not desirable,
consider turning off heaters and motors when the building is vacant.
Always have repairs conducted by qualified technicians
- Poor
Electrical Wiring - Always make sure that your electrical wiring
is up to code and have a qualified electrician do the repairs.
If your building is over 30 years old, it is advisable to have
the wiring inspected by a qualified electrical contractor.
- Unattended
Space Heaters - Never leave space heaters on while unattended.
Always make sure that the heater is turned off before leaving
the premises. If an extension cord must be used, make sure it
is the appropriate type and never overload an electrical outlet.
- Unattended
Candles/Incense -Never leave candles or incense burning
while unattended or overnight. Always make sure these items are
placed on a
heat resistant surface and that they are not left burning near
combustible materials such as cloth. (See Improper Storage of
Combustible Materials above.) Make sure lit mate. Is are cool
before disposal. Remember, the use of lit materials should be
supervised by an adult.
Here
are some additional tips for preventing accidental fires at
your house of worship:
- Discourage
smoking within or near the exterior of the structure.
- Inspect
all electrical cords and extension cords in use. Discard any frayed,
cracked or dried out cords.
- Make
sure that all wall sockets and light switches are equipped with
faceplates.
- Store
gasoline and gasoline operated equipment in vented storage areas
or fire resistant enclosures.
- Insure
that proper size fuses are used in fuse boxes.
- Never
store combustibles/flammable liquids near heat or flame. Store
away from church property in a safe place.
- Never
leave holiday tree lights or candles on overnight or while unattended.
- Make
sure all draperies and furnishings are made of fire retardant
fabrics.
- Make
sure electronic musical instruments are turned off while not in
use. If left on, the motor can overheat and cause a fire.
- Keep
kitchen stoves and appliances in good working order.
- Make
sure all kitchen appliances are turned off before leaving the
building.
- If
you allow persons to sleep in your facility , be aware there is
an increased risk of fire and other property damage. If you intend
to let people sleep in your building, be sure to first check with
local authorities to make sure you are not in violation of local
habitation codes. It is also wise to provide supervision, prohibit
smoking and cooking and to install an early warning fire alarm.
Fire
Extinguishers: Your worship facility should have
at least one fire extinguisher for every 2,500 square feet and
a minimum of one extinguisher on each level of your building.
There should be no more than 75 feet of travel from anyplace
in your building to a fire extinguisher. Local ordinances may
require more, so check with your fire department for information
specific to your particular area.
Fire extinguishers are classified by types of fires on which
they are effective:
-
Type
A - effective on ordinary combustibles such as paper, cloth,
wood or trash.
-
Type
B - effective on flammable liquids such as gasoline, paint,
oil, grease or tar.
-
Type
C
- effective on electrical fires.
- Type
K - for use in kitchens on combustible cooking materials.
A
fire extinguisher rated as Type ABC is recommended in
all areas of your worship facility except kitchen areas. If
you have a kitchen, place a Type K extinguisher near the kitchen
exit and within 30 feet of cooking appliances, but not immediately
above or beside them.
Fire
extinguishers should be inspected monthly by a trained person.
Staff and members who are regularly at your facility should
be familiar with each extinguisher's operation.
In
deciding whether or not to fight a fire with a fire extinguisher,
keep the following in mind:
- Has
everyone left the building and has the fire department been called?
- Is
the fire confined to a small area and not spreading?
- Do
you have an unobstructed escape route? Is your extinguisher rated
for your fire?
- Do
you know how to use the extinguisher properly?
If
in doubt about any of these questions, leave immediately, close
off the area and wait for the fire department.
BOMBINGS
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Bombs
can be constructed to look like anything and can be placed or
delivered in any number of ways. The probability of finding
a bomb that looks like the stereotypical bomb is almost nonexistent.
The only common denominator that exists among bombs is that
they are designed and intended to explode.
What
can you do to help prevent a bombing disaster? First, consider
whether you or your organization could be a possible target.
Motives for bombings include revenge, extortion, terrorism and
business disputes.
If
your organization is active in controversial political and/or
social issues, be aware that you could be targeted for violence.
If
a suspicious object or package is found in your facility, under
no circumstances should anyone move, jar or touch the object.
Removing and disarming a bomb must be left to the professionals.
Call your local police department immediately!
While
waiting for their arrival, take the following steps:
- Identify
the danger area. Generally, a 300-foot area should be considered
in the danger zone, including floors below and above the object.
- Follow
your evacuation plan and evacuate the building
- Open
all door and windows in order to minimize damage in the event
the device explodes.
- Do
not reenter the building until bomb squad personnel tell you it
is safe.
BOMB THREATS
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Unfortunately,
bomb threats do occur at houses of worship. Instruct all staff
and members who answer the telephone how to respond to bomb
threats. Proper planning for these incidents can reduce panic,
instill confidence in leadership and help ensure a calm and
safe response.
A
calm response to the caller provides the best chance of obtaining
additional information. Often, the bomber wants to avoid injuries
or deaths. If the caller is told that the building is occupied
and cannot be evacuated in time, the bomber may be willing to
give more specific information on the bomb's location.
Remember,
the caller is the best source of information about the bomb.
Place a copy of the Bomb Threat Checklist (see appendix} by
each telephone in your worship facility.
When
a bomb threat is received:
- Keep
the caller on the line as long as possible. Ask him/her to repeat
the message. Write down what the caller says.
- If
the caller does not volunteer the location of the bomb, ask him/her
where it is.
- Calmly
inform the caller that the building is occupied and that people
may be injured or killed.
- Listen
for background noise, such as motors running, music playing, and
any other sounds which may give a clue as to the location of the
caller.
- Pay
particular attention to the voice of the caller (male, female),
voice quality (calm, excited), accents and speech impediments.
- Report
the threat immediately to your local law enforcement agency. After
you have reported to your local law enforcement agency, you may
also report the threat to ATF through our web site at www.atf.treas.gov.
- Remain
available for law enforcement to interview you.
MAIL
BOMBS
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- Mail
bombs may have excessive postage. Normally a bomber does not want
to mail a parcel over the counter and have to deal face-to-face
with a window clerk.
- The
return address may be fictitious or nonexistent.
- The
postmark may show a different location than the return address.
- Mail
bombs may bear restricted endorsements, such as "Personal"
or "Private." This is particularly important when the
addressee does not usually receive personal mail.
- Mail
bombs may display distorted handwriting or the name and address
may be prepared with homemade labels or cut-and-paste lettering.
- Parcel
bombs may be unprofessionally wrapped with several combinations
of tape used to secure the package and may be endorsed 'Fragile
- Handle With Care' air 'Rush-Do Not Delay.'
- Letter
bombs may feel rigid or appear uneven or lopsided.
- Package
bombs may have irregular shapes, soft spots or bulges
- Mail
bombs may have protruding wires, aluminum foil or oil stains and
may emit a peculiar odor.
- Be
suspicious of any letters or packages arriving before or after
a phone call from an unknown person asking if the item was received.
- Packages
wrapped in string are automatically suspicious, since modern packaging
materials have virtually eliminated the need for twine or string.
- If
your organization does not normally receive mail from foreign
sources, be cautious of packages containing foreign writing, addresses
or postage.
NOTE:
To utilize these guidelines it is important to know the types
of mail your organization receives.
If
you become suspicious of a mailing and are unable to verify
the contents, observe the following safety precautions:
-
Do
not open the article.
-
Isolate
the suspect parcel and evacuate the immediate area.
-
Do
not put the article in water or a confined space, such as a
desk drawer or cabinet.
-
If
possible, open windows in the immediate area to assist in venting
potentially explosive gases.
-
If
you have any reason to believe a letter or package is suspicious,
do not take a chance or worry about possible embarrassment if
the item turns out to be innocent. Contact your local police
department immediately. They would rather respond to a false
alarm than respond to a blast scene.
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