Safety & Security Committee

Over the past five months the Safety & Security Committee has been actively working with our federal, state, and local partners to strengthen the safety and security of our congregation. 

An important aspect of our safety and security planning involves training our Shaare Torah community. Since the beginning of 2023 we have been expanding these training opportunities to all members of the Shaare Torah community.

In partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Secure Community Network, we are offering the following courses on regular basis: 

Countering Active Threat Training (CATT)

• CATT is a comprehensive training program to counter an active threat event developed for faith-based institutions and houses of worship. Attendees will learn to:
• Identify and explain the steps to survive an active threat incident: RUN, HIDE, FIGHT.
• Understand how to prepare for an active threat event.
• Know how to respond to law enforcement’s arrival.
• Recognize the importance of additional trainings such as Stop the Bleed
• The training will be provided by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Secure Community Network.
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Cost: Free

BeAware – Introduction to Situational Awareness Training

• BeAware is available to all members of the Shaare Torah community; no background in security is required. The course is designed to improve the ability of all members of the congregation to recognize and react to dangerous situations in their everyday lives. We will also discuss “The Power of Hello” – techniques for engagement and de-escalation to help address and defuse potentially dangerous situations.
• The training will be provided by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Secure Community Network.
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Cost: Free

Stop-the-Bleed™ Training

• Stop the Bleed is a grassroots national awareness campaign and call-to-action. Stop the Bleed encourages bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. No matter how fast professional emergency responders arrive, bystanders will always be first on the scene. A person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within five minutes, therefore it is important to quickly stop the blood loss. Those nearest to someone with life threatening injuries are best positioned to provide first care.
• The training will be provided by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Secure Community Network.
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Cost: Free

The Safety & Security Committee is currently reviewing additional training courses that would cover other areas of safety and security. We look forward to your participation in the above training and future courses.S