DHS Helps Faith-Based Organizations and First Responders Form Partnerships

• NCJ Number: 248739
• Author(s): Becky Lewis
• Date Published: April 2015
• Length: 4 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Award: Operate the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) - National Center

Annotation

This article discusses the rationale, design, and implementation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) plan for establishing partnerships between first-responder and faith-based organizations (FBOs).

Abstract

DHS’s guide for such partnerships states its intention to provide houses of worship with information regarding emergency operations planning for a spectrum of threats and hazards. Actions are discussed that may be taken before, during, and after an incident so as to reduce its impact. In addition to the publishing of this guide, the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (the Center) launched efforts that included the creation of a website, which not only provides a link to the guide, but also includes other training and technical assistance materials that make the guide’s contents even more accessible, particularly for smaller congregations. The Center also made presentations to FBOs in six cities, collecting feedback that could inform the development of technical assistance and training materials. The presentations also brought together FBO leaders and local first responders from police and fire departments. The discussions helped the FBO leaders develop expectations regarding how to engage with local first responders.