Maines Catholic diocese offers training to prevent, respond to violence in churches
Incidents such as the 2015 shooting at a church in South Carolina prompt the diocese and the Department of Homeland Security to plan workshops for leaders of all denominations.
Michael Magalski, shown at work in 2006, spent 30 years in the Secret Service and is now director of professional responsibility for Maine's Catholic diocese. He says, "We have to make certain security and safety plans for our facilities, our corporations, our houses of worship." File Photo/Doug Jones
Posted January 5
BY MEGAN DOYLE STAFF WRITER
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are teaming up to train priests and other clergy and religious leaders how to prevent and respond to active shooters and other violence.
The one-day workshops being held this month in Scarborough and Bangor will be open to religious leaders and staff members from all religious denominations, an announcement by the diocese said.
“These workshops will educate participants on incidents of violence that have caused disruptions at churches,” said Michael Magalski, director of the Office of Professional Responsibility for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, who also had a career as a member of the U.S. Secret Service. “The day will include discussions about working with local emergency response teams, preparing communications protocols, and the best practices for planning and response.”
Participants will get guidance from Department of Homeland Security instructors on developing emergency action plans, identifying strengths and weaknesses in physical security, and learning how to prevent disruptive incidents by recognizing
http://www.pressherald.com/2017/01/05/portlands-catholic-diocese-to-train-clergy-to-deal-with-gun-attacks/
Has it really come to this?
