Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 3 September 2024

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

All of the countries currently on the Foreign Office ‘do not travel’ list

The Independent reports on the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s foreign travel advice.

From the Independent:

When planning a holiday, it’s wise to check these three things before you leave for the airport: your passport is in-date, travel insurance is still valid and you’re travelling to someplace safe according to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Political conflicts, natural disasters and safety concerns are among the reasons the UK Foreign Office will recommend British nationals steer clear of certain destinations.

The FCDO has issued various travel warnings, including advice against “all travel” and “all but essential travel” to entire countries or parts of countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.

The article lists countries that the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against all travel. The list includes a blub for each country explain why not to travel to that country.

The article also has a list of countries where travel is advised against parts of the listed country.

Related Articles:

• Nicaraguan dictatorship shuts down more nonprofit Catholic organizations, evangelical churches

• Two U.S. Marines attacked in Turkey by nationalist youth group
• Security Alert: Panama City and Colon Province (Panama), Curfew in Place for San Miguelito area of Panama City and Colón province

Related US Department of State advisory:

• United Kingdom Travel Advisory – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to terrorist groups continuing to plot possible attacks in the UK.

Analyst Comments:

While the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office foreign travel advice is intended for UK citizens, it can be very helpful to citizens of any country. Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) with operations overseas can consider all sources of threat intelligence to maintain a robust, overseas security posture. This information can also be very useful for members of FBOs traveling overseas for business or pleasure.

The US Department of State (State Department) Travel Advisories for individual countries can be found at Travel Advisories (state.gov).

A wide variety of information to make international travel safer can be found at the State Department’s International Travel page.

The State Department’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides alerts that are pass throughs from US embassies and consulates.  For incidents, the alerts usually provide:

• Location
• Event description
• Actions to take
• Assistance provided by US Department of State

It is best to go directly to a government websites and search for the country of interest, because media articles may not contain all countries on a do-not-travel list.

National Preparedness Month, “Start a Conversation.”

Ready.gov announces:

September marks National Preparedness Month, the annual campaign to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe. The 2024 theme is “Start a Conversation”

Related Items:

• A Proclamation on National Preparedness Month, 2024
• September is National Preparedness Month; FEMA Releases the National Resilience Guidance + Other Upcoming Events
• Climate Week NYC: Communicating Disaster Preparedness
• Do you have an emergency and recovery plan? Get started or update it this National Preparedness Month

2024 National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will host the 2024 National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security on September 25 and 26. This two-day, virtual event brings together K-12 school leaders and practitioners to discuss and share actionable recommendations that enhance safe and supportive learning environments. The Summit is designed to foster a nationwide dialogue on some of the most critical school safety issues, as well as equip school stakeholders and personnel with resources, training and best practices to apply in their local school settings and communities. See link above for additional information.

Dates: September 25-26, 2024

Time: 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. EDT each day

Location: Held virtually via Microsoft Teams

Registration: Registration is required and there is no cost to attend.

Venue Security, The IAVM Podcast Series – Managing Risk plus: Bobbleheads! Partnerships! and the value of diversity.

Venue Security, The IAVM Podcast Series; Gate 15’s founder and Managing Director, Andy Jabbour, hosts short interviews with venue safety and security experts from the International Association of Venue Managers’ (IAVM) Venue Safety and Security Committee (VSSC) and other special guests from the IAVM community.

In this final episode of Venue Security, The IAVM Podcast Series, Andy Jabbour talks with Byron K. Johnson II, Director of Public Safety and Security, with the Raleigh Convention & Performing Arts Complex. Get to know Byron on LinkedIn

In the discussion Byron and Andy address the concept of a venue, its diverse range of facilities, common and specific risks, and the evolving nature of the industry. They also delved into the aspects of risk management, the importance of understanding unique risks associated with different types of events and facilities, and the role of technology in venue management. In closing, they emphasized the value of diverse perspectives in risk assessment and decision-making, the significance of leadership, and the importance of a strong reputation in the community. Plus:

• Byron’s background.
• The IAVM Academy for Venue Safety and Security (AVSS) with some name dropping!
• Leadership, being open minded, and open to sharing.
• The value of risk assessments and bringing in diverse perspectives.
• The importance of building relationships with the DHS Protective Security Advisors!
• With a kind Byron shoutout to our Gate 15 podcasts and more.

Information on other Gate 15 podcasts can be found at Podcasts (gate15.global).