(Homeland Security Major Writes YW:) Dear Editor, we have all heard the recent warnings from the Department of Homeland Security and other intelligence and law enforcement sources of impending terror attacks on our homeland. While concerning, many of you have thought, “Well, it probably will not affect us here in City X. Too small, too non descript. No interest here.”  Because of this mentality, obvious steps that can be taken to reduce the possibility of an incident in our shuls, schools and community meeting places have been put on the back burner. Who would have thought that a deranged man would shoot up a one room Amish school house in Pennsylvania? It can happen anywhere, and at any time.

As a major in emergency management and homeland security, I have studied and am fully aware of the tactics of terror groups and other “emotionally disturbed” people. We are living in a tekufa of danger – not only from nefarious terrorists who hate the freedom we have in America and Israel, but by people who have other agendas, or who are emotionally disturbed and will stop at nothing to take others out with them when they commit suicide.

The purpose of this article is not to scare, but rather to provide some steps that our community shuls, schools and community meeting places can take to mitigate and prepare for an emergency before it occurs.

1. Immediately ask people not to leave packages, boxes, suitcases, or bags outside in the hallway of a shul or school. If you need to bring in your pekel to shul, keep it with you. Make this policy clear, and enforce it strongly.

2. Do not hesitate to contact your local police department or security group (Shomrim, etc) if you suspect ANYTHING amiss. Be alert for people loitering around these sensitive areas, taking pictures of people or the infrastructure, people that do not appear to belong to the area, or people that seem to have an undue interest in the workings of the organization, the building, etc. Shul and organization presidents are urged to forge working relationships with their local police officials, and work closely with them regarding suspicious incidents.

3. The Department of Homeland Security offers grants to Non-Profit organizations to improve the security apparatus in place. Numerous organizations have used this money to purchase closed circuit TV cameras, vehicle barrier systems, and enhance the alarm systems in the buildings.

4. Every organization should create a security board for the organization. The security board would be comprised of members of the organization who make decisions regarding how the organization can respond to and recover from an emergency situation. It is advisable that the board put together an emergency operations plan, and work closely with public safety officials to ensure they are familiar with the building, the routine of the organization (what times the building is occupied, where the sifrei torah are, etc.)

5. Schools are encouraged to practice shelter in place and evacuation drills of the building. Teachers should also be taught how to react to a child or adult with a gun or a bomb, how to protect the children, and what steps to take to try to safely resolve the situation.  Teachers should also be taught how to spot a student that is in emotional distress and how to deal with them.

IY”H, these steps should only be good measures to be put into place, and should never, Chas V’Shalom, have to be used for a real emergency. But a few minutes or hours of preparation can mean the difference between life and death. Proper training and oversight can help prevent a disastrous situation from happening – or if it does happen, can minimize the impact of the tragedy.

We hope and daven for a year of Shalom and a year of good health and safety for everyone. A Ksivah v’chasima tova, and a happy new school year!

Concerned.