Churches and Airplanes. Church security teams are usually a result of volunteering parishioners. Like a commercial airplane, all the flight attendants know and can fill each others roles; the same applies to church security. Members should be not only be versed in the locations of AED’s, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers, but how to use them. Designate a floor warden to direct the team. Most houses of worship, regardless of religion, have current or former military, law enforcement, nurses, or other first responders in their pews. Use them. Delegate. Vet your team so as to determine your best de-escalator. Flight attendants are among the best at de-escalation. Why? Because they have to deal with that boo-sheet right there in that seat. It’s not like they can ask them to step outside. As much as we’d like them to.
