UUCW is looking for a few new members to join the Safety & Security Committee. A number of our current members have served on the committee for several years and are moving on to other things.
The purpose of the UUCW Safety & Security Committee is to enhance the overall safety of the UUCW congregation through an “all hazards” approach. Examples of issues addressed are fire, building security, medical emergencies, and threatening intruders. The Committee works with the Board, relevant UUCW Committees, and the Staff to provide a safe and secure environment.
The Committee is in the process of completing most aspects of the UUCW Emergency Response Plan. The remaining portions of the Plan, Plan action items, as well as any newly identified safety and security issues, will be addressed by the Committee in monthly meetings. In addition Committee members perform monthly checks of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and biannual checks of the First Aid Kits.
Here are a few things the committee has done in the last couple of years:
We applied for, and were awarded, a FEMA grant to purchase security-related equipment, and safety and security training services. This grant funded a number of the items listed below:
• We put in additional lighting, and a series of outdoor cameras to monitor the building and grounds.
• We scheduled and ran Red Cross Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED training sessions for staff, ushers, and other interested members.
• We arranged for security training for UUCW staff, ushers, and other interested church members from an outside security consulting firm.
• We helped develop UUCW’s Emergency Response Plan with some work done by outside security professionals.
• We brought in the local chapter of FEMA for building inspections and had an assessment performed by a private security contractor to help us develop better building security practices.
• We have had “Security Plates” installed on the outside doors, and have helped the staff monitor these doors being latched & locked when the building is not in use.
• We reviewed the First Aid kit contents & locations, and have updated the First Aid kit contents to include all recommended supplies.
• We put an incident form & log procedure in place.
• We made sure the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is completely functional and that all the components are up to date and comply with regulations and recommendations.
The items listed above took place over the course of several years, and the opportunity for something like the FEMA grant doesn’t happen all the time. We just happened to find out about it and were able to take advantage of the opportunity.
We basically just try to do whatever is needed to provide a safe and secure place for the UUCW congregation. Most of the time that is just routine common sense things like you would do around your own home to keep everyone safe.
For more information or to express interest in joining the Safety and Security Committee, please contact Ahmad Perry.
