The Necessity of Critical Incident Training for Houses of Worship: Focusing on Active Shooter Preparedness
Introduction
Houses of worship, including churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples, serve as sanctuaries for spiritual reflection, community gathering, and support. However, these venues are increasingly vulnerable to critical incidents, particularly active shooter events, due to their open and welcoming nature. This article examines the need for specialized training in critical incident response, with an emphasis on active shooter preparedness. Drawing from statistical data, historical trends, and authoritative guidelines, it evaluates the rationale for such training while outlining recommended practices. The analysis underscores that, despite the relative rarity of these events, proactive measures are essential to mitigate risks and protect congregants.
Overview of Incidents and Statistical Evidence
Violent attacks on houses of worship have shown a concerning upward trend in recent years. According to research covering the period from 2012 to 2022, there were 59 documented violent attacks targeting congregants, clergy, or staff in the United States, resulting in 79 fatalities and 83 injuries. Shootings constituted 40% of these incidents but accounted for 94% of deaths and 61% of nonfatal injuries, highlighting the disproportionate lethality of firearm-related attacks. Motives frequently involved racial, ethnic, or religious hatred, comprising at least 49% of cases, with attacks on Jewish and Muslim sites being disproportionately high relative to their representation among religious institutions.
Focusing specifically on churches, data indicate 26 fatal shootings since 1999, with the deadliest occurring at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in 2017, claiming 26 lives, including an unborn child. Incidents have fluctuated, with peaks such as four in 2022 and two in the first half of 2025, interspersed with gaps in years like 2018–2019 and 2020–2021, possibly influenced by pandemic-related closures. Broader studies, including those from the Faith Based Security Network, report 1,967 deadly force incidents associated with faith-based organizations from 1999 to 2018, further illustrating the scope of threats beyond mass shootings.
These statistics reveal patterns of escalation, particularly in hate-motivated violence, underscoring that houses of worship are not immune to targeted attacks. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has documented 277 active shooter incidents nationwide from 2000 to 2018, a subset of which occurred in religious settings, emphasizing the broader context of such threats.
Arguments Supporting the Need for Training
The inherent characteristics of houses of worship—publicly announced schedules, open access, and large gatherings—heighten vulnerability to critical incidents. While such events remain infrequent, their potential for high casualties and community trauma necessitates preparedness. Training equips staff, volunteers, and congregants with skills to recognize threats, respond effectively, and recover, thereby reducing chaos and saving lives.
Expert sources, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), affirm that early recognition of pre-attack indicators, clear protocols, and empowered personnel are critical in preventing or mitigating violence. The rise in attacks, as noted in multiple analyses, correlates with societal factors such as increasing hate crimes and mental health challenges among perpetrators, with 40% of attackers in the 2012–2022 study showing histories of mental illness. Without training, these venues risk inadequate responses, as evidenced by past incidents where delays exacerbated outcomes.
Counterarguments may highlight the rarity of events, suggesting resource allocation elsewhere. However, this perspective overlooks that preparedness training, such as run-hide-fight protocols, has proven effective in other settings like schools and workplaces, and the low frequency does not negate the severe consequences when incidents occur. Moreover, federal agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and DHS advocate for proactive measures, noting that collaborative planning with law enforcement enhances overall resilience.
Guidelines and Best Practices for Implementation
Authoritative guidelines provide structured frameworks for critical incident training. The FBI outlines a six-step process for developing Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs): forming a collaborative team, understanding threats, setting goals and objectives, developing courses of action, preparing and approving the plan, and implementing with maintenance. Threat assessments are foundational, identifying risks like active shooters through site evaluations and risk prioritization based on probability and impact.
DHS recommends creating tailored Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) that include reporting procedures, evacuation routes, and contact information for hospitals and responders. Training should cover recognizing gunshots, immediate reactions (evacuate, hide, or act against the threat), and post-incident recovery, incorporating mock exercises with local law enforcement. The “If You See Something, Say Something™” campaign encourages reporting suspicious activities to prevent incidents.
CISA’s resources advocate a four-step security improvement process: assessing vulnerabilities, planning responses, training stakeholders, and exercising plans, often referencing tools like the Houses of Worship Security Self-Assessment. Specialized programs, such as those from ALICE Training or Guardian Defense, focus on faith-based contexts, emphasizing de-escalation, tactical responses, and medical aid.
Conclusion
The evidence clearly supports the need for critical incident training in houses of worship, particularly for active shooter scenarios. With rising incidents driven by hate and other motives, neglecting preparedness could lead to preventable losses. By adopting guidelines from DHS, FBI, and similar entities, religious leaders can foster safer environments without compromising their welcoming ethos. Institutions are encouraged to initiate assessments and training promptly, collaborating with local authorities to build comprehensive resilience.