Ranch Building

Meetinghouse Emergency Action Plan

Last updated February 2024

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Instructions

Action:  Keeping Safe at Church

Action:  Evacuation and “Designated Safe Area”

Action:  Emergency Telephone Numbers

Fire, Ambulance, or Emergency: 911

Stake Presidency:

Service Provider Contacts

Agent Bishopric:

Stake PFR (Physical Facilities Representatives):

Stake Communications:

Facilities Management

Car Break-In

Abandoned Car (To be towed)

Vandalism / Graffiti

Power Outage

Gas Leak

Medical

Water Line Break or Flood

Fire or Explosion

Responding to a Disruptive Person in Church or Civil Disturbance

Chemical Spills

Earthquake

Armed Intruder

Active Shooter

Terrorism - Credible Threat

Terrorism - Opened mail or package

Terrorism - Non-Credible Bomb Threat

Bomb Threat Questions to Ask:

Instructions

This plan should be used to regularly train Ward Council, before an emergency occurs. The purpose of this document is to assist with what should be done in the first hour of an emergency.

In addition to the Emergency Action Plan, a one page Emergency Evacuation Plan should be maintained in each meetinghouse, posted on the safety bulletin board in the member custodial closet; include the list of emergency telephone numbers & keeping safe at church section.

This tool will assist in creating a dynamic action plan that considers local conditions and needs, and can facilitate making changes that will occur.

Action:  Keeping Safe at Church

1. Avoid being alone in a Church building.
2. Lock vehicles in the parking lot. Keep personal items out of sight;
3. Report suspicious persons in or around Church buildings to priesthood leaders
4. Priesthood leaders conduct interviews only when another priesthood holder is nearby.
5. The Bishop, Stake President and clerk offices are locked when not occupied.
6. All ward and stake leaders should know the location of fire pulls and building exits, how to lock interior doors, and the building's emergency procedures.
7. The Church strongly discourages anyone from carrying weapons into meetinghouses or Church events. (Handbook 2: Administering the Church 21.2.4).

Action:  Evacuation and “Designated Safe Area”

When evacuation is necessary

1. Direct members to move as quickly as possible to the nearest exit and go to the cemetery on the west side of the building.
2. Assign four volunteers to sweep the building to verify all occupants have exited. Never go alone, two teams do complete sweeps in opposite directions.
3. Members either remain in the designated safe area until the local authorities determine it is safe to return to the building or return to their homes after everyone is accounted for.
4. Notify a member of the Stake Facilities committee: Stake PFR, High Council Representative for your Ward, or a member of the Stake Presidency. Report the evacuation, the reason for it, and the current status.

Link to Floor Plan with Evacuation Exits

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Action:  Emergency Telephone Numbers

Fire, Ambulance, or Emergency: 911

Car Break-In

1. If there is a car break-in or theft, encourage the victims to call the Riverton Police Department.
2. Collect as much information as possible relating to the crime.
3. Obtain the police case number assigned to the incident.
4. Notify the Bishop so the Ward Council can provide support and assistance to the victim.

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Abandoned Car (To be towed)

1. If there is an abandoned car in the church parking lot, it needs to be removed.
2. Notify all Bishops in the building so their Ward Councils can network to identify the owner of the vehicle.
3. Leave a note on the windshield with the agent Bishop’s name and number indicating the car will be towed if it is not removed.
4. Before having the car towed, it is appropriate to notify the Riverton Police Department to see if it has been reported stolen. It will help to have the licence and/or VIN number when you call. You should also indicate your plan to have it towed.
5. Contact Quick Tow Towing at (801) 619-7010 to have the vehicle removed.

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Vandalism / Graffiti

1. Notify the Riverton Police Department before the graffiti is removed.
2. Take digital photographs of the damage.
3. Notify a member of the Stake Facilities committee: Stake PFR, High Council Representative for your Ward, or a member of the Stake Presidency.
4. Clean up the vandalism or graffiti.

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Power Outage

1. Battery-powered emergency lighting should work for several minutes. Use flashlights to locate and direct people.
2. If the outage lasts longer than 10-15 minutes, begin the process of closing down the facility.
3. Notify a member of the Stake Facilities committee: Stake PFR, High Council Representative for your Ward, or a member of the Stake Presidency.  This is only necessary if the building was occupied at the time of the outage and the power has not been restored.
4. In cold climates, if it appears that the power outage may last a long period of time, and the interior building temperature may cause the water pipes to freeze, take steps to get heat into critical areas and to circulate water systems.

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Gas Leak

1. Contact the gas company immediately to investigate the problem.
2. Secure the area.
3. If possible, ventilate the area by opening doors and windows.

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Medical

1. All medical situations are considered to be emergencies.
2. No member should attempt to provide medical care that they have not been trained to give. ONLY trained First Responders or Paramedics should attempt to move a sick or injured person.
3. Medications should only be dispensed by Licensed Medical Personnel.
4. Members should use the equipment they have been trained to use, including personal protective equipment such as rubber gloves, mouth shield, AED (as applicable), or first aid supplies.

Call 911 when:

A.        Requested by the patient or other responsible party.

B.        The response is a life threatening situation.

C.        The victim is unconscious.

5. If the victim is a minor, then contact the parents in parallel to calling 911; merge call with 911 when capabilities exist.
6. Notify the Bishop so the Ward Council and Home Teachers can provide support to those assisted.

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Water Line Break or Flood

1. Turn off the source of the water, if possible.
2. Contact Presiding Authority and/or contractor services immediately.
3. Determine if all floor drains are open and draining.
4. Get assistance to move items that may be destroyed or damaged.
5. Notify a member of the Stake Facilities committee: Stake PFR, High Council Representative for your Ward, or a member of the Stake Presidency.
6. Arrange for members or emergency cleaning services to assist in the clean up, as needed.

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Fire or Explosion

1. When a fire alarm sounds, observe the alarm panel to determine the location of the fire. Quickly inspect the facility.
2. Call 911, and Initiate Evacuation of the Facility.
3. The Fire Department has control of the facility.

If the Fire is in the Beginning Stage

Do not fight the fire alone. Attempt to contain small fires using a portable fire extinguisher.

Isolate the power source for electrical fires.

If Evacuation is Needed

1. Touch all doors with the back of your hand before opening them. Do not open them if they are warm.
2. Stay low to the ground. The best air to breathe in smokey conditions is near the floor.
3. Assist any who may need special help (i.e. disabled, elderly, etc.) to get to the designated safe area.

1. Notify the Bishop so the Ward Council can provide support to those assisted.

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 Responding to a Disruptive Person in Church or Civil Disturbance

1. Determine the magnitude of the problem(s); never go alone, as a pair approach the individual or assess from a safe location. Be respectful, speak calmly and with self-control, and respect his or her personal space.
2. Whether the person causing the disturbance remains seated in the congregation, approaches the stand, or stands at the pulpit, approach the person and ask him or her to stop or to leave, or invite the person to meet with a priesthood leader in the foyer.
3. If the person refuses to leave and continues to cause a disturbance dismiss the meeting. Do not attempt to physically restrain the person unless it is absolutely necessary. Contact and consult with Riverton Police Department, the local law enforcement agency.
4. If it is an external civil disturbance lock all doors to the property.
5. If it is unsafe to remain in the facility, evacuate.
6. Notify a member of the Stake Facilities committee: Stake PFR, High Council Representative for your Ward, or a member of the Stake Presidency.
7. Assist law enforcement officials as needed.

(Adapt these guidelines as needed for auxiliary meetings, classes, or Other Church events or activities.)

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Chemical Spills

1. Do not approach the spill. Isolate the affected area.
2. Call 911 for emergencies that threaten life or property.
3. Call Utah Department of Environmental Quality for significant or major environmental incidents that may require a timely response (sooner than the next business day).
4. The Presiding Authority should determine if Evacuation is Necessary.
5. Determine if HVAC systems needs to be turned off.
6. If items 2, 3, 4, or 5 are required, then Notify a member of the Stake Facilities committee: Stake PFR, High Council Representative for your Ward, or a member of the Stake Presidency.

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Earthquake

If an earthquake has occurred, take steps to ensure the safety of members in the facility.

1. Contacting 911 after a disaster will likely be ineffectual. It is generally discouraged unless there is a life threatening emergency. Even, then it may be some time before they can respond assuming you are able to connect at all. After an earthquake, the stake center will become a staging ground for Riverton City and CERT.
2. Establish command central in the Stake Offices (the Pavilion will be used if the Stake Offices are inaccessible).
3. The Presiding Authority should determine if Evacuation of the Premises is required.
4. Contact utility companies if there are broken pipes and/or hanging wires.  Only turn off utilities that may be a danger to the building or its occupants, i.e. gas, water, and electricity.
5. After evacuation, and if any facilities are damaged, do not go back into the building until approved by local authorities and the building has been determined safe to re-enter.
6. Initiate communication tree with block captains to follow up on needs within the Ward Boundaries.
7. Communicate status and assessment of the Ranch Building to the Stake Center.
8. Notify a member of the Stake Facilities committee: Stake PFR, High Council Representative for your Ward, or a member of the Stake Presidency.

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Armed Intruder

If an intruder threatens to use a weapon:

1. Comply with the person’s demands, give him what he asks for without hesitation.
2. Do NOT provoke the intruder by arguing, acting defiant, or confrontational.
3. Do not put anyone in danger.
4. After the intruder leaves, call 911
5. Assist law enforcement officials as needed.
6. Notify a member of the Stake Facilities committee: Stake PFR, High Council Representative for your Ward, or a member of the Stake Presidency.

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Active Shooter

If an active shooter or other assailant enters the building, everybody should do one of the following:

1. Run - Flee immediately if a safe path is available. Move quickly to the safest exit and away from the building. Exit quietly, without drawing the attention of the assailant. Adults are to ensure that all children are supervised and
   accounted for. Do not return to the building, an office, or a classroom for personal items. Do not carry anything that could be mistaken as a weapon by responding police.
2. Hide - If you are unable to escape safely, hide. Close, lock, and barricade the doors to the classrooms, offices, or other rooms where you are hiding. Turn out the lights, silence cell phones, and keep low to the floor and away from windows. If there is an exchange of gunfire between police and the assailant, everyone in the building is to stay in their barricaded rooms until instructed otherwise by the police.
3. Fight - As a last resort, if there is no time to run or hide, fight back against the assailant. Use anything available as a weapon, and fight to incapacitate the person. If others are present, organize to defend yourselves and to attack the Assailant.

Follow-up event, based on circumstances using Terrorism - Credible Threat procedure.

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Terrorism - Credible Threat

If a credible terrorist act comes in the form of a suspicious package, bomb threat, or hostage situation:

1. Call 911
2. Points of entry should be searched to ensure they are clear; initiate Evacuation of the Facility.
3. Establish a command post with someone there at all times who can coordinate with local law enforcement.
4. The Local Authorities will take control of the facility until this issue is resolved.
5. Do not put anyone in danger.

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Terrorism - Opened mail or package

If you open an envelope or package containing a message indicating you have been exposed to anthrax or other pathogen (a powder may not be visible):

1. Remain calm.
2. Move away from the envelope or package and any suspected substance, but DO NOT LEAVE the room.
3. Call 911 indicate that you have received an anthrax or other bio-terrorism threat. Report if a substance was in the envelope or package and that you were possibly exposed. Provide your name, telephone number, and location. Remain on the line until you are told to hang up.
4. Additional Information:

1. Do not leave the package unattended, unless you are alone or it is absolutely necessary.
2. Shut down the ventilation system. Restrict access to your area and evacuate surrounding areas to minimize the possibility of contamination.
3. You may be sent to a hospital for evaluation, and you may receive medical treatments until laboratory tests are completed (normally 24—72 hours).

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Terrorism - Non-Credible Bomb Threat

If a non-credible threat comes in the form of a bomb threat:

1. The presiding authority establishes a command post.
2. Notify a member of the Stake Facilities committee: Stake PFR, High Council Representative for your Ward, or a member of the Stake Presidency.
3. Points of entry should be searched to ensure they are clear for possible Evacuation of the Facility.
4. Search all public areas - Interior and Exterior - to ensure that nothing is unusual.
5. Always search in pairs and conduct at least two complete searches.
6. Do not evacuate the building unless something is found that is suspicious.

1. If something is found to be suspicious, follow Terrorism - Credible Threat procedure.
2. Never touch a suspicious package.
3. Never use radio or cellular telephones near a suspicious package or during the search. Use in-house telephones.

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      PLACE THIS CARD UNDER YOUR TELEPHONE IN THE OFFICE

Bomb Threat Questions to Ask:

1. When is the bomb going to explode?
2. Where is it right now?
3. What does it look like?
4. What kind of bomb is it?
5. What will cause it to explode?
6. Did you place the bomb?
7. Why?
8. What is your address?
9. What is your name?

EXACT WORDING OF THE THREAT:

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

Sex of the caller:        __________________________

Race:        ___________________________________

Age:          ___________________________________

Number at which call is received:

        ______________________________________

Time:  ______:______       Date:          ____/____/____