Often people view places of worship as safe zones and get
lulled into a false sense of security. However, our faith communities
can be extremely vulnerable, and violence can occur.
The Diocese of Southern Virginia in conjunction with the
Virginia Fusion Center is providing a conversation starter presentation
to offer guidance to help our faith communities balance the need to be
both welcoming and safe at the same time. First Sergeant Austin White,
Deputy Director of the Virginia Fusion Center will facilitate the
training and will discuss the following topics:
- Threats and vulnerabilities to houses of worship
- Addressing potential threats
- Policy and planning
- Safety in outreach settings
- Civilian response to active shooter
- Mitigation strategies
- Developing a mindset of preparedness to respond to threats
