Church
Safety
POLICIES
AND PROCEDURES FOR A SAFE CHURCH
Mission Statement
As a community of
Christian faith, United Congregational Church of Tolland is committed to
creating and maintaining programs, facilities, and a community in which
members, friends, staff, and volunteers can worship, learn and work
together in a safe and secure atmosphere.
The Safe Church Policies
and Procedures for UCCT intend for its members a safe sanctuary for
persons of all ages who are entrusted to its care. They also
protect those who have responsibilities as leaders and teachers.
The Safe Church document is also available in the church office.
FIRE,
RESCUE ASSISTANCE, FIRST AID, AND HANDICAP ACCOMMODATIONS
During our last major
construction project, our church building was upgraded and brought up to
building code requirements. Stop for a moment and reflect on the
safety of yourself and others when participating in church
activities. Do you know what to do in an emergency? Do your
family members? Do you know where the first aid kits, fire
extinguishers, AORs, AEDs, and unlocked phones are located?
Please acquaint yourself
with the locations of the equipment described below. It may
protect you and your family if an emergency occurs.
Locations
of Fire Alarms
 Fire
alarms are located throughout the church on all three levels.
Take the time to notice their locations.
If you are not sure how to use the alarm, be sure to ask one of
the staff or committee members.
Location
of Fire Extinguishers
 Fire
extinguishers are also located throughout the church, in areas most
likely to be needed, including the fellowship hall, kitchen, furnace
room, and public areas. The
extinguishers should be used only for small fires when one’s safety is
not in jeopardy. Sometimes
it will be wiser to pull the fire alarm and evacuate the building,
knowing that delays in notification will postpone the arrival of
emergency responders. The
sprinkler system will start automatically when fire is detected.
Areas
of Rescue Assistance
These
locations are available at stairways for use during any emergency,
especially by disabled persons. Emergency
personnel will attend to these areas immediately upon their arrival.
The eight Areas of Rescue (AOR) are located:
-
on
the second floor:
1) outside the Miller Room, 2) between the Reading Room and
Fellowship Hall, 3) outside the Nursery, and 4) near the elevator
-
on
the first floor (ground level):
5) in Fellowship Hall in the coat room and 6) near the classroom in
the southwest corner;
-
in
the basement: 7)
near the southwest stairway and 8) near the boiler room in the
northwest corner of the building.
 First
Aid Kits
Two
first aid kits are stored in the kitchen on a shelf over the sink.
Each kit is labeled with the contents and includes:
-
wound
care products to treat a minor cut
include antiseptic wipes, Band Aids, and gauze dressings
-
rubber
gloves to protect the caregiver from exposure to bodily fluids
-
Aromatic
Spirits of Ammonia to revive someone who has fainted
-
over-the-counter
medications for headache or allergic reaction and aspirin for a
cardiac event; these medications should be administered only by a
responsible adult
-
flannel
sheet to provide warmth or protect modesty
-
blood
pressure cuff and stethoscope to be used to assess for shock
-
splinting
materials to immobilize an injured limb
-
Ace
bandages
Please
notify one of the staff or Parish Nurses anytime these items have been
used so re-stocking of the kits can be done.
Unlocked
Phones
If
the church office is locked,
the only available phone is located in the Fellowship Hall near the
kitchen on the north wall.
|
When
calling in an emergency from
the phone in Fellowship Hall, dial 9911! |
AED
-
The
Automatic External Defibrillator is a device to be used if a person
suddenly becomes unresponsive. It
analyzes heart activity, determines if an electrical shock needs to
be administered to stimulate the heartbeat, and automatically
delivers this shock. The
AED is (will be) on the wall outside the reading room on the ground
level.
-
Two
levels of training are being scheduled.
The first is intended for all who participate in activities
in the church buildings. It will introduce the use of the AED and
offer the opportunity to hear the voice instructions given by the
device and become acquainted with the application of the monitoring
pads
-
The
second level of training is more inclusive and includes training and
certification in use of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
This allows the responder to treat the person until emergency
personnel arrive.
Several
members have already been trained in the operation of the AED, and
certified in CPR. Additional training sessions and renewals
will be held regularly.
How
to Perform a Rescue | Printer
friendly version
Handicaped
Access
-
Handicapped
parking and curb cuts
are designated to facilitate access into the lower level of the
church near the church offices.
-
An
automatic door opener has been installed for the door outside
the church offices. It
must be activated from the office to be functional, and is activated
for church services and other events.
The plate to open the door is on the left as you face the
door from the outside and is on the pillar.
-
An
elevator is available to
allow easy access to the second floor of the church.
-
Ramps
are in place into the Christian Education building and from the
north parking lot into the sanctuary. These
are the recommended evacuation routes for those with impaired
mobility in case of fire or electrical failure.
The elevator should not be used in case of fire.
-
Bars
are in place in
all bathrooms to assist with standing and sitting.
-
Railings
are on the front steps and on the doors into the narthex to assist
with safe access through the front doors of the church.
Updated October 20, 2011
Webmaster RBittner@charter.net
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