Safety
At Park Avenue, the safety and well-being of everyone in our community is a sacred trust. We believe that creating a secure and welcoming environment is a vital part of radical belonging.
We have thoughtfully developed procedures for a range of emergency situations and have identified and trained groups of relevant individuals who will be prepared to respond appropriately. Here’s how we work together to keep each other safe:
Children & Youth Safety
All staff and volunteers who work with our children, youth, and vulnerable adults have passed Safe Gatherings background checks and online abuse prevention training. We strive to implement and follow safety best practices in all our official gatherings.
CHeck- in Procedures
Children (5th grade & under)
New families are encouraged to register here.
Children check in at the kiosk near the Early Childhood Room before service.
Guardians receive a printed tag and must show it at pick-up.
Youth (6th–12th grade)
New youth participants should register here.
Youth check in manually in the Youth Room as they arrive.
Unless otherwise indicated on the registration form, youth are allowed to exit independently after service.
Medical
In the event of a medical emergency, we have first aid kits and naloxone at various locations throughout the building, as well as an AED unit in the Main Level hallway. Staff have basic CPR training, and we have identified congregants with medical expertise who can provide initial support until first responders arrive.
Severe weather
Our Lower Level serves as a severe weather shelter. If an event should occur during Sunday worship, ushers and Emergency Mobility Assistants will help congregants who need special assistance.
fire
Our building is well equipped with alarms, extinguishers, sprinklers and exit lights. If a fire occurs during a Sunday service, ushers and Children & Youth leaders are trained to guide a quick evacuation. Emergency Mobility Assistants will help congregants who need special assistance.
Active threat
Our church, lay leaders, and volunteers follow practices to help reduce the risk of Active Threat Incidents and to prepare and protect our congregation should an active threat occur.
We can all help make PAUMC a safer place by simply doing this: If you see something, say something. Tell an usher or a staff member ASAP.
For information on actions to be taken should an incident occur, watch this short video.
How can you be better prepared?
Follow the procedure for child and youth check-in every time.
As you move about the building, look for posted maps – they show evacuation routes and the locations of fire extinguishers and first aid kits.
Familiarize yourself with exits you don’t normally use.
Watch the Safety video above!