Purpose Overview

Purpose

The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for Faith Tabernacle Fellowship Church outlines goals and objectives specific to various hazards or threats that may occur while people are in attendance at the church. The documented threats or hazards include natural, or man-made disasters or disruptions. It provides action plans to support those goals & objectives. It also provides for creation of an Emergency Response Team (ERT) and standard procedures for training of the team as well as preparedness education for the congregation.

Situation Overview

An Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the congregation, church staff and all worship/gathering participants.  There are several factors that must be considered regarding our house of worship:

  • The age of the building and the materials used for construction make it particularly susceptible to fire.
  • The number and size of the windows poses a risk for damage and injury from severe thunderstorms, tornadoes or earthquakes.
  • The average age of the congregation increases the probability of a medical emergency.

We are dependent on the assistance of First Responders. 911 will be called for major incidents as indicated in the Threat/Hazard Annexes. South Everett Precinct located at 9520 Evergreen Way will be dispatched in the event of a fire, hazardous materials spill, life-threatening medical emergency. The responding Sheriff or Police Department South Everett Precinct will be dispatched if an active shooter event occurs.

Concept of Operations

In the event of a true emergency, this plan is designed to be activated by whoever first notices the threat. In any other situation, the trained leadership or Emergency Response Team (ERT) will initiate action. The head usher during a regular service, or head of any group on premises during other events/meetings, is the designated point of contact for First Responders. This person will initiate the call to 911, meet and direct First Responders as they arrive, and gather and relay important information such as head count, exact location assistance is needed, etc.

Young children are located in the children’s room during the main portion of the service. The Youth Ministry staff are part of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) and has instructions for where to take the children depending on whether evacuation or sheltering in place is required. Parents are instructed to meet their children at the Les Schwab Parking lot. The elderly and those needing assistance will also be guided to Les Schwab.

Visually and hearing-impaired persons will be assisted by an Emergency Response Team (ERT) member as needed.

Copies of the Church Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) will be distributed to the main responding agencies, South Precinct Fire Department, South Precinct Police Department.

The primary purpose of actions taken before an incident, such as regular building & equipment maintenance, purchase & placement of safety equipment, dissemination of the plan and training, is to prevent, protect from and mitigate the impact on life or property.

The primary purpose of actions taken during an incident per the plan is to respond quickly and appropriately to the specific incident and minimize its impact on life or property.

The primary purpose of actions taken after an incident is to recover from its impact on life or property.

 

Organization and Assignment of Responsibilities

The Church Emergency Planning Committee (EPC) consists of 8 members, including the Pastor, representatives from the Board of Deacons and other elected leaders and church members. This committee is responsible for creating and maintaining the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), scheduling and leading training for the Church Emergency Response Team (ERT), scheduling & leading drills for the congregation, and coordinating with responding agencies.

 

The Church Emergency Response Team (ERT) consists of all key church leadership, including the Emergency Planning Committee, the Youth Director, Youth Ministry staff, all 

Deacons, all ushers & greeters, all security team members and at least 1 member of any other ministry/committee that meets individually at the church. These include, but are not limited to, the Music Staff, Outreach Ministry & Community Service, Women’s Ministry, and Men’s Ministry. This team is responsible for attending training at least once a year and taking leadership roles as necessary during drills and in the event of plan activation. This can include leading and assisting during evacuation or sheltering in place, organizing the gathering places, keeping head counts and documentation and administering basic first aid (if trained). All members are encouraged to participate in First Aid, CPR & AED training courses when provided.

 

Everett Fire Department: 425-257-8100 

First responders will be dispatched via a call to 911 in the event of a fire, hazardous materials spill, or medical emergency. They may also provide various aspects of training for the Church Emergency Response Team, supervise evacuation (fire) drills and provide Fire Drill Reports.

Everett Police Department: 425-257-8400 

Sheriff will be dispatched via 911 in an active shooter event or for a protester that disrupts the service and refuses to leave. They may also provide traffic control as needed.

Direction, Control and Coordination

Command is to be assumed by the head usher during a regular service, or head of any group on premises during other events/meetings, with the assistance of the Pastor if needed/available.

Members of the Emergency Planning Committee (EPC) will assist in coordinating the efforts of Emergency Response Team (ERT) members and shall report to the head usher or group head in command.

The Church Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is designed for short-term operations, as the church is occupied daily only by select church staff and is only in use by medium to large groups for short periods of time. As soon as the situation has been assessed to be safe, members & attendees will be released to return to their homes. Further discussion with local agencies is needed to determine the relationship between the church plan and the broader community’s emergency management system.

All equipment, resources and supplies for short-term operations are available at the church, however, full execution of the plan for certain threats/hazards is dependent on the availability of First Responders as noted.

Information Collection, Analysis and Dissemination

Information necessary to the successful implementation of the activities that occur before and during an incident include:

  • Law enforcement alerts
  • Crime reports

Crime specific to houses of worship may also be reported to the Pastor via communications from Everett Police Department and/or Washington State Attorney General’s Hate/Bias Incident Hotline 1-855-225-1010. The Committee will discuss any reports of concern internally and determine if any preventative/preparative action is necessary.

Concerns prior to a potential incident will be communicated to church members by email from the Pastor or administrative staff and by phone via the Board of Deacons.

Any post-incident follow up communication will be disseminated to church members by email from the Pastor or administrative staff and by phone via the Board of Deacons.

The Church Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is designed for short-term safety while people are at the church, however, depending on the impact of the incident, the Committee will also research and provide information about additional resources available to members and attendees once they return to their homes and share that information via e-mail.

Training and Exercises

Training for the Church Emergency Response Team (ERT) will be provided as follows to ensure that all members understand their roles & responsibilities and are properly prepared to take action:

 

Training

Times/Year

Emergency Operations overview, including evacuation & shelter in place procedures

2

First Aid

1

CPR/AED

1

Fire Extinguisher Training

1

 

Church-wide drills/exercises will be scheduled as follows:

Drill/Exercise

Times/Year

Evacuation

2

Shelter in Place

1

 

Administration, Finance and Logistics

The Church Emergency Planning Committee (EPC) has an annual budget to be used as needed for supplies and training. As the Chair of the Board of Deacons and the Pastor are both members of the Committee, they will approve and handle expenditures and submission of receipts. The Committee will also maintain records of all training provided and a list of participants.

The Church Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is designed for short-term safety while people are at the church. If large scale damage to the building or property occurs, the Board of Trustees would then determine resource needs and keep any resulting financial records.

Plan Development and Maintenance

The Emergency Planning Committee (EPC), under the guidance of the Committee Chair, is responsible for overall planning and coordination of training dates & times (see Training and Exercises for frequency). The Committee will evaluate all plan-specific training & exercise to determine if any updates to the Plan or training materials are needed. In addition, the Committee will review the Plan annually to ensure it is current and relevant.

 

Authorities and References

In the event that the Pastor, head usher or group head leading the meeting or gathering is unavailable or unable to make decisions, succession of decision-making authority in an emergency is as follows:

  • Member of the Associate Ministers
  • Member of the Deacon Board
  • Member of the Leadership Team

Function: Evacuation

Planning

  1. Identify all exits to the building and create schematics
  • Exit 1: Front door Entrance
  • Exit 2: Main Entrance hallway into sanctuary
  • Exit 3: Back Entrance
  • Exit 4: Conference Room
  1. Identify location of fire extinguishers; include on schematic
    • Extinguisher 1 – Back entrance
    • Extinguisher 2 – Main entrance hallway into sanctuary
    • Extinguisher 3 – Inside sanctuary from Evergreen entrance
    • Extinguisher 4 – Evergreen entrance hallway
    • Extinguisher 5 – Conference room
  2. Identify gathering place in the event of an evacuation
    • Location – for use by church staff, children & parents, those with limited mobility, all others
  3. Identify trained leaders (Emergency Response Team members)
  4. ERT members to assess the situation and identify the best exit plans
    • In the case of a threat of fire, know where the fire is located
  5. ERT members to help those with limited mobility

Action Plan

  1. Before ANY gathering in the church building, the Usher taking head count on Sunday or the leader of each gathering should:
    1. Familiarize themselves with the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, and exit(s)
    2. Write down the head count
    3. Have a cell phone (on silent) on their person at all times
    4. Be prepared to call 911 - in an emergency your job will be to stay on the phone with dispatch and go out to the driveway to direct First Responders when they arrive
  2. Before ANY gathering in the church building, any trained Emergency Response Team members attending a service or gathering should:
    1. Familiarize themselves with the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, exit(s) and identify a secondary exit in case the nearest one is blocked.
    2. In the event of an emergency requiring evacuation, be prepared to:
      1. Go back to the section where you were seated, get the attention of the people in the rows around you
      2. Ask those people to follow you to the nearest safe exit - able-bodied people should exit first (if there is more than one trained team member in your section, one can lead and the other can follow) - REMEMBER if there is smoke, crawling is safer
      3. Lead your group to the Gathering Point outside the building
      4. If you are not leading a group, assist anyone with limited mobility
      5. Take a headcount of your group
    3. Gathering Points
      1. Location: – 176 Yards North; Les Schwab Tire Center, 9736 Evergreen Wy, Everett WA 98204
    4. Priorities:
      1. Identify the hazard & determine the need to evacuate
        1. WHO: Whoever notices the hazard first (i.e. smells or sees smoke)
        2. ACTION: If the hazard is fire, shout to get the speaker’s attention
      2. Activate & guide First Responders (Fire, Police, Ambulance)
        1. WHO: Usher taking head count on Sunday OR leader of any smaller gathering
        2. ACTION: Call 911, stay on the line with dispatch and proceed to driveway to direct First Responders to the problem when they arrive, compare reported headcount from Gathering Points to total to identify any missing
      3. Evacuate the building
        1. WHO: Trained ERT members
        2. ACTION: Lead the people in your section to the nearest safe exit, proceed to Gathering Point and take headcount for your group. If there are enough leaders, additional ERT members should assist anyone with limited mobility. REMEMBER if there is smoke, crawling is safer.
      4. Eliminate hazard (protect people & property) if possible
        1. WHO: Trained ERT members
        2. ACTION 1: If the hazard is fire AND it is smaller than an office wastebasket in size, use the nearest extinguisher and attempt to put it out
        3. ACTION 2: If a person’s clothing has caught on fire or they must pass close by flames to exit, protect them while exiting
        4. Remember...STOP, DROP & ROLL
      5. Provide First Aid or any necessary care to any injured
        1. WHO: Certified medical professionals or trained ERT members
        2. ACTION: Use supplies in emergency first aid kit to apply first aid or care as needed; document name and age of person being treated, symptoms and actions taken
      6. Manage Gathering Point
        1. WHO: First trained ERT member to reach Gathering Point
        2. ACTION: Get head counts from each ERT member reporting with a group and send someone to communicate total headcount to Usher or leader in 4b, work with ERT members to maintain order & calm, take note of anyone that chooses to leave the scene if possible
      7. Release participants
        1. WHO: Usher taking head count on Sunday OR leader of any smaller gathering
        2. ACTION: When advised by 911 that it is safe to leave, notify Gathering Point
      8. Secure building if needed
        1. WHO: The person that opened the building for the service/gathering
        2. ACTION: Close and lock the building or take action as directed by First Responders

Function: Shelter in Place

Planning

  1. Identify all exits to the building
  • Exit 1: Front door Entrance
  • Exit 2: Main Entrance hallway into sanctuary
  • Exit 3: Back Entrance
  • Exit 4: Conference Room
  1. Identify location of first aid kit
    • Kit 1 – Reception area near the front door entrance
  2. Identify trained leaders (Emergency Response Team members)
  3. ERT members to assess the situation and identify the best exit plans
  4. ERT members identify themselves and direct persons to safety
    1. 1 or more ERT member direct persons to the nearest exit
  5. ERT members to help those with limited mobility

Action Plan

  1. Before ANY gathering in the church building, the Usher taking head count on Sunday or the leader of each gathering should:
    1. Familiarize themselves with the location of the nearest path to the conference room and youth room.
    2. Write down the head count
    3. Have a cell phone (on silent) on their person at all times
    4. Use cell phone to monitor the situation (such as weather and/or community alerts)
  2. Before ANY gathering in the church building, any trained Emergency Response Team members attending a service or gathering should:
    1. Familiarize themselves with the location of the nearest path to the conference room and youth room.
    2. In the event of an emergency requiring sheltering in place, be prepared to:
      1. Go back to the section where you were seated, get the attention of the people in the rows around you
      2. Ask those people to follow you to the nearest safe path to the conference room or youth room - able-bodied people should go first (if there is more than one trained team member in your section, one can lead and the other can follow)
      3. Organize others in moving tables under windows to protect from flying glass
      4. If you are not leading a group, assist anyone with limited mobility
      5. Take a headcount of your group
    3. Sheltering Points
      1. Location: Youth Room & Conference Room – for use by church staff, children & parents, those with limited mobility, all others
    4. Priorities:
      1. Identify the hazard & determine the need to shelter in place
        1. WHO: Whoever sees/receives a warning first (such as storm warning)
        2. ACTION: Shout to get the speaker’s attention
      2. Move everyone to shelter
        1. WHO: Trained ERT members
        2. ACTION: Lead the people in your section to the nearest Location. With children filling up room first. Additional ERT members should assist anyone with limited mobility.
      3. After the threat is over, assess if additional help is needed (such as fire rescue due to lightning strike or medical help due to injury).
        1. WHO: Usher taking head count on Sunday OR leader of any smaller gathering
        2. ACTION: Call 911; activate & guide First Responders (Fire, Police, Ambulance)

and

  1. WHO: First trained ERT members
  2. ACTION: ERT members work to maintain order & calm, take note of anyone that chooses to leave the scene if possible
  1. Provide First Aid or any necessary care to any injured
    1. WHO: Certified medical professionals or trained ERT members
    2. ACTION: Use supplies in first aid kit to apply first aid or care as needed; document name and age of person being treated, symptoms and actions taken
  2. Release participants
    1. WHO: Usher taking head count on Sunday OR leader of any smaller gathering
    2. ACTION: If no emergency services were required, release after assessing that it is safe. If emergency services are required, release when advised by 911 that it is safe to leave
  3. Secure building if needed
    1. WHO: The person that opened the building for the service/gathering
    2. ACTION: Close and lock the building or take action as directed by First Responders

Threat and Hazard Annex

Threat: Active Shooter

 Objectives

Overview: Active Shooter / Active Deadly Threat is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. The “active” aspect inherently implies that both law enforcement personnel and citizens have the potential to affect the outcome of the event based upon their responses.

  1. Goal: Prepare for a potential active shooter event
    1. Practice situational awareness (recognize the threat) and have a plan (see Action Plan) b
    2. Identify two possible escape routes (get familiar with posted escape routes)
    3. Identify places to hide in an active shooter situation
    4. Training needs:
      1. Provide ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) or similar training for the congregation at least once a year
      2. Remind Emergency Response Team (ERT) members that they should help direct/lead others and help keep a head count
    5. Goal: Protect all persons from injury
      1. Follow Action Plan
    6. Goal: Provide medical attention if necessary
      1. Survey the congregation to build a list of persons with medical training
      2. Purchase medical first aids and place near major exits; store a more complete kit of supplies in the conference room
      3. Offer first aid training once a year and encourage Emergency Response Team (ERT) members to attend
      4. When safe to do so, qualified ERT members administer first aid as needed
      5. ERT members to help coordinate communication after evacuation
        1. Collect info from anyone receiving first aid and document all treatment given
        2. Keep track of who is being transported to a hospital
        3. If possible, document names and times for anyone leaving the scene

Action Plan

  1. RUN
    1. Leave your belongings & exit immediately (run if you can)
    2. Encourage others to follow
    3. Move far away & warn others
    4. Call 911 when you are safe
  2. HIDE
    1. If you can’t exit safely, find a place to hide
    2. Act quickly & quietly
    3. Secure your hiding place – turn off lights, close & block door, take cover
    4. Silence cell phones
    5. Do your best to remain quiet & calm
  3. FIGHT
    1. Last resort
    2. Fight as a group, improvise weapons and work to disarm the shooter
    3. Make yourself a difficult target – throw things to distract the shooter, constantly move & yell until you have the opportunity to attack
  4. When safe to do so, call 911
  5. Identify an ERT member to serve as the liaison to first responders. Note: during a regular Sunday service, this should be whichever Usher has taken the headcount
  6. Account for all persons to determine the need for a rescue effort
  7. When law enforcement arrives
    1. Their first priority is to stop the shooter; they cannot stop to help the injured
    2. Do not try to touch them – they will be looking for a threat so put your hands up, spread your fingers, show them your palms and stay still
    3. If you have subdued the shooter and taken control of the weapon or have obtained a firearm, do not hold it when police enter – as soon as possible place it in a secure location out of sight
  8. Arrange a post-event Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) and offer counseling services

 

Threat and Hazard Annex

Threat: Earthquake

Objectives

  1. Goal: Protect all persons and property from harm
    1. Develop, share and practice the Action Plan
      1. Participate in earthquake drills
    2. Identify and train 1-5 persons who will act as Emergency Response Team (ERT) members
      1. Review & practice the Action Plan
      2. Provide leadership training, including review of exit paths
    3. Follow the Action Plan
  2. Goal: Provide medical attention if necessary
    1. Survey the congregation to build a list of persons with medical training
    2. Purchase medical packs and place near major exits; store a more complete kit of supplies in the kitchen
    3. Offer first aid training once a year and encourage Emergency Response Team (ERT) members to attend
    4. Qualified ERT members or congregants to administer first aid as needed
    5. ERT members to help coordinate communication after threat of the storm has passed.
      1. Collect info from anyone receiving first aid and document all treatment given
      2. Keep track of who is being transported to a hospital
      3. If possible, document names and times for anyone leaving the scene prior to the “All Clear” signal.

Action Plan

Earthquakes can happen without warning and result in injuries and damage to property and roads. If an earthquake happens, protect yourself right away. (Source: https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes)

  • If you are outdoors, stay outdoors away from buildings
  • Do not get in a doorway
  • Do not run outside

Stay Safe During an Earthquake: Drop, Cover, and Hold On

Drop: Drop wherever you are on to your hands and knees. If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.

Cover: Cover your head and neck with your arms. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If there is no shelter nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows). Crawl only if you can reach better cover without going through an area with more debris. Stay on your knees or bent over to protect vital organs.

Hold on: If you are under a table or desk, hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it if it moves. If you can’t find a table or desk, cover your head and neck with both arms and hands. If seated and unable to drop to the floor, bend forward, cover your head with your arms, and hold on to your neck with both hands.

After the shaking stops:

  1. Monitor the news for emergency information & instructions
  2. If the building is damaged, evacuate and quickly move away from the building (refer to Functional Annex, Function: Evacuation). Do not enter damaged buildings.
  3. Be prepared for aftershocks
  4. Account for all people to determine the need for a rescue effort
  5. Communicate via text messaging, when possible, reserve phone calls for emergency use
  6. If anyone was injured and needs additional assistance beyond first aid, dial 911 to request medical assistance. Note: during a regular Sunday service, this should be whichever Usher has taken the headcount.
  7. If damage occurs to the building or grounds and someone becomes trapped, as soon as it is safe to do so, assess if fire rescue services are needed. If needed, dial 911 for assistance.
  8. If damage occurs to the building or grounds, conduct a damage assessment

Evacuation Drill Plan

For: Faith Tabernacle Fellowship

 Preparation

  • Assign Roles:
    • Drill Coordinator – oversees the drill and signals start.
    • Exit Monitors (4 people, one at each exit) – guide members to exits, ensure doors remain open.
    • Safety Sweepers (2 people) – check restrooms, nursery, offices, and hallways.
    • Assembly Leader – ensures everyone gathers at designated meeting point outside.
  • Post Evacuation Maps: Clearly mark the 4 exits on wall maps.
  • Announce in Advance (for first drill): Let the congregation know when the drill will happen. Later, conduct unannounced.

 Execution

  1. Signal the Drill
    • Use manual alarm (if available) or announce clearly: “This is a drill, please evacuate calmly.”
  2. Evacuation
    • Members use the nearest exit (do not all go to the same one).
    • Exit monitors assist elderly, children, or anyone with mobility needs.
    • Safety sweepers ensure no one is left behind in restrooms, nursery, kitchen, etc.
  3. Assembly Point
    • Everyone meets at a designated safe area (Les Schwab Tire Center, 9736 Evergreen Wy).
    • Assembly Leader counts heads to confirm all members are out safely. (TBD)

 Post-Drill Review

  • Time the Evacuation: Goal = under 3 minutes.
  • Check Attendance: Ensure all members are accounted for.
  • Feedback: Ask members what went smoothly and what was confusing.
  • Adjust Plan: Update maps, roles, or instructions as needed.

Extra Tips

  • Develop a plan for children’s ministry evacuation via Exit 4.
  • For members with mobility challenges, assign “buddies” to assist them.

 

FLOOR PLAN with Exits

Shelter-in-Place Drill Plan

For: Faith Tabernacle Fellowship

 Preparation

  • Assign Roles
    • Drill Coordinator – gives shelter-in-place signal, oversees drill.
    • Room Monitors – guide people to designated shelter areas.
    • Safety Sweepers – check restrooms, nursery, kitchen, and hallways.
    • Head Counter – accounts for all members once sheltered.
  • Shelter Locations
    • Interior rooms (Sanctuary storage room, Conference Room, Children Classroom).
    • Avoid sanctuary due to multiple windows.
    • Choose 2–3 areas that can comfortably hold 5 - 10 people.

 

  1. Execution
  1. Signal the Drill
    • Announce clearly: “This is a shelter-in-place drill. Please move calmly to the designated shelter areas.”
  2. Move to Shelter Areas
    • Room Monitors guide members quickly and calmly.
    • Safety Sweepers ensure restrooms, kitchen, and offices are cleared.
  3. Secure the Space
    • Close and lock doors if possible. (Purchase locks if necessary)
    • Move people away from windows and glass.
    • Turn off lights if instructed (for security-related drills, e.g., intruder).
  4. Account for Everyone
    • Head Counter verifies that all members are present.

 Types of Shelter-in-Place Scenarios

  • Severe Weather (tornado, windstorm): Stay away from windows, go to interior rooms.
  • Security Threat (active intruder nearby): Lock doors, stay quiet, silence phones.

 

  1. Post-Drill Review
  • Time the drill (goal: everyone sheltered within 3 minutes).
  • Ensure assigned roles functioned correctly.
  • Ask for member feedback (any confusion, crowded spaces, unclear instructions).
  • Update shelter maps and assignments if needed.