A safety management team at the Apostolic Faith headquarters in Portland, Oregon, is responsible for developing and implementing policies related to the safety and security of the organization’s churches and staff, volunteers, and attendees. That team is comprised of the senior pastor, the youth pastor, the Sunday school superintendent, the safety team manager, and other designated staff members.

The headquarters safety team serves as the liaison with the church’s insurance provider for the organization as a whole. Based on the insurance company’s recommendations, the team oversees the production and distribution of safety materials and required trainings. They also supervise the collection and retention of necessary documentation from Apostolic Faith branch churches in the United States.

Each Apostolic Faith Church pastor is expected to establish a local safety team which will be responsible for implementing safety policies and procedures within that church.

Local Safety Management Team Responsibilities:

• Read the Safety and Security Manual. Those on the safety team should be thoroughly familiar with all safety requirements.
• Work with the pastor to select and train Church Emergency Responders (CERs).
• Do a local church assessment to identify any hazards.
• Evaluate local environmental risks such as the potential for earthquakes or inclement weather.
• Ensure that contact information for emergency services, security and building maintenance personnel, CERs, and ministers are kept on lists placed in easily accessible locations throughout the church building.
• Inspect all first aid and safety equipment, making sure that first aid kits are well-supplied and placed in key locations around the church.
• Copy and distribute safety information to the local congregation.
• Ensure that workers are adequately instructed and trained in church safety policies and emergency procedures.
• Facilitate regular inspections of church buildings, equipment, and vehicles, and ensure that records relating to such inspections and work orders for corrective action are retained in the church files.
• Facilitate regular inspections of fire alarm pull stations, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and the fire suppression (sprinkler) system.
• Review Accident/Incident Report forms and follow through with any needed corrective actions.
• Oversee periodic fire, earthquake, and evacuation drills with the frequency recommended by the church insurance provider.
• Ensure that staff and volunteers are instructed regarding church policies and procedures related to child/youth safety.
• Monitor all child/youth programs for ongoing compliance with safety policies on a regular (announced and unannounced) basis.
• Make recommendations to the senior pastor regarding safety concerns.

Members of each local safety team should meet on a regular basis to discuss safety issues, risk management practices, and other concerns that could impact the safety or security of those who attend the local church or any of its activities.