Emergency policies and procedures: I need your help

Posted on 14. May, 2009 by in Administration, Fresh Ideas, Resources

Hey, I need some help.

I’m in the final stages of totally re-writing our policy and procedures manual for the Children’s Ministry here at Gateway. Something new we’re adding are emergency procedures. We’ve got fire and tornado taken care of. However, I need to write our procedures for these emergencies:

  • Child abduction: Someone succeeds in taking a child who isn’t theirs.
  • Intruder: Someone enters our property or facility with the intent to do harm. What are your lock-down and response procedures?
  • Lost Child: We’ve probably all experienced this (usually it’s when a child gets checked into the wrong room or one parent picks their child up without telling the other). However, what procedures do you follow when a child is potentially missing?

Your help on these things would be greatly appreciated. In a few weeks when we have our manual finished, I’ll share. I promise!

Meet Kenny

Kenny Conley has written 1607 posts on CMO.

Kenny Conley is the primary author of Childrens Ministry Online and the NextGen Pastor at Gateway Church in Austin, TX. In addition to creating the Illuminate Conference, a high quality kidmin conference designed specifically for volunteers, Kenny is a published author and speaker. For more biographical info, click here.

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  • kat

    well, what I do is run, scream and yell OH NO!!!
    Hope that helps :)

  • kat

    Kris said he would dive off the balcony and tackle somebody. Pretty good procedure, I think. Let’s test this one this weekend!!

  • Bonnie D

    Well, child abduction seems easy for me – dial 911. but for the others WOW, they’re going to be difficult to administrate. I couldn’t even begin to fathom a lockdown, but it’s good to be prepared.

    for the lost child, we do the – send everyone one we see looking’ routine. last time it happened the kid turned up asleep on the floor behind a couch in the prayer room with a meeting going on. maybe have a definite place to go or number to call within the church if the lost child is discovered?

    Also, we sign our kids in and out after service, so as for being liable, we make it clear their children are their responsibility to keep track of once they’ve been signed out. Our policy states that children under 4th grade must be with their parents (or a babysitter) at all times, including during meetings, practices, etc. Many families don’t follow that guideline to the letter, but our policy has a window so legally we can’t be held responsible for kids who run wild.

  • Bonnie D

    I’m assuming you already have a child sexual abuse policy, right?

  • Susan Hughes

    For Lost Child:
    We have 2 way radios in each of the classes. If we lose a kid, we call an Amber Alert. Then we lock down all exits both in the kids’ areas & the rest of the building. 2 people are sent to look outside the building while other leaders are sent to search inside. The parents are notified too.
    Intruder:
    We have designated “safe rooms” that adults will take the kids to. We try to make these rooms the ones with no windows and only 1 doorway. We’re transitioning from a mobile environment to our own building this summer, so I have to re-write many of these safety procedures. So…I look forward to your sharing the rest with us!

  • Bridget

    It depends on the child…..

  • http://westcoastcm.wordpress.com Anthony Prince

    Lost Child:
    Reporting party contacts Children’s Ministry Director (or assistant director providing oversight for the activity).
    Director contacts parent(s), head usher and facilities team director.
    Campus Response-
    Our church’s head usher and facilities director are contacted.
    Facilities team/ushers become checkpoints at our campus parking lots’ two exits.
    They great each car that leaves during that time and are instructed to take note of license plate numbers until child is located on campus.
    Usher/Facilities team do a check of all bathrooms located outside of children’s ministry wing.
    Usher/Facilities teams patrol campus until child is found or alert has ended.
    Children’s Wing Response-
    Greeters and classroom assistants perform bathroom checks. We have a total of 7 bathrooms in our children’s ministry environments.
    Greeters are stationed at our two main exits after performing bathroom checks.
    Classroom rotations are put on hold until child is found.
    Directors providing oversight for early childhood/elementary environments perform a room by room check for the missing child. We have 14 rooms that we hold classes in.

    The checklist is:
    Contact Event Coordinator
    Contact Parent(s)
    Contact Facilities Coordinator
    Contact Head Usher
    Establish Parking Lot Check Points
    Campus Bathroom Checks
    Establish Patrols
    Children’s Ministry Check Points
    Rotations on Hold
    Bathroom checks
    Classroom checks
    Contact Local Authorities

    —-

    Hope that’s helpful.
    Looking fwd to seeing the materials you put together!

    Anthony Prince’s last blog post..1st Church of Familarity. Anytown, USA

  • Pam

    Had a situation these past Sunday where a child went into the wrong room during children’s church. We had a few panicky moments. Parental communication breakdown, but it just about did me in. It was mother’s day and I needed a nap that afternoon to process it. I have had stress neck and back pain all week!

    Please do share your procedures when you finish.

  • Tim G

    Good Morning ! My name is Tim. I am a volunteer security personnel with our church. I have read and like all the input on this page. We use a code system. To eliminate panic or confusion. Comms are a must , in case a full lockdown is needed. Alerting top staff, other key church personal, and doing thorough quick sweeps are important. Time is soo important. Try to discourage anyone wanting to exit until all clear is given. KidzPro is a good sytem, depending on funds, simple wrist bands with matching stubs are good. Eliminates any custody issues. Have escorts for K-5 on bathrooms, doing sweeps of bathrooms prior to entrance. Gender appropriate of course. Hope this helps. I am interested in hearing and sharing what works, pros, cons of your experiences.
    Thanks
    Tim