Faith-Based and Volunteer Partnership Resources

This guide provides houses of worship with information regarding emergency operations planning for the spectrum of threats and hazards they may face. It discusses actions that may be taken before, during, and after an incident in order to reduce the impact on property and any loss of life and it encourages every house of worship to develop an EOP.

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Guide for Developing High Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Houses of Worship

The fire service can help communities reduce the occurrence of arson and reduce its devastating effect by making residents aware of the following measures to safeguard their church, mosque, synagogue, temple or chapel.

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Protecting Houses of Worship Against Arson

Provides organizationally independent, strategic, timely, specific and actionable advice to the Secretary through the Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement whom also serves as the DHS Faith-Based Organization Security Coordinator.

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The Faith-Based Security Advisory Council (FBSAC)

This discretionary committee is established in accordance with and operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), Title 5 United States Code, Appendix.

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Faith-Based Security Advisory Council Charter

Is the Department of Homeland Security's official system for trusted sharing of Sensitive But Unclassified information between federal, state, local, territorial, tribal, international and private sector partners.

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Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN)

CISA has developed an interactive self-assessment Houses of Worship that FBOs can use to inform grant applications – based on their state guidance.  In addition to this self-assessment, CISA provides security experts around the nation. 

Protective Security Advisors are available to assist with vulnerability assessments and recommendations/guidance for the grant process.  The PSAs can be reached via email at central@cisa.gov (the FBO should provide their contact information and where they are located so they can be matched up to the nearest PSA) and their website Protective Security Advisors. 

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Additional CISA Resources

• Cyber Hygiene Services
• Cyber Essentials
• Ransomware
• Hometown Security
• Securing Public Gathering
• Protective Security Advisor
• Faith Based Organization - Houses of Worship
• Protective Security Advisor Program

Supports the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terrorism prevention mission by conducting applied research, evaluation, and integrating scientifically derived knowledge to inform policy and programs throughout the Homeland Security Enterprise.

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The Science and Technology Directorate

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations. This funding is available to promote emergency preparedness coordination and collaboration between public and private community representatives. 

See all FEMA preparedness grants.

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) supplements and expands the ongoing work of local social service organizations, both nonprofit and governmental, to provide shelter, food and supportive services to individuals, families and households who are experiencing, or at risk of, hunger and/or homelessness. 

Learn more about the EFSP.