Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 25 July 2023

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.

Gate 15’s Weekly Security Sprint

Weekly Security Sprint EP 26. Welcome to The Mosh Pit! Cybersecurity, scams, CISA on preparedness, a new White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy (just in time for new malaria threats?) and more.

Police Arrest Mississippi Serial Arsonist Who Allegedly Set Fire To Seven Buildings, Including Two Churches

The Daily Caller article reports that an alleged arsonist was arrested Tuesday in connection to seven structure fires, including fires at two churches in Jackson, Mississippi.

One of the churches, Epiphany Lutheran, was completely destroyed, while the other, Greater Bethlehem Temple Church, suffered severe fire damage to the historic portion of its structure. 

Analyst Comment:

Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) are too often victims of Fire as a Weapon attacks. NBC recently reported a that a man pled guilty to two charges of arson at an Austin, TX synagogue in 2021. Fox 4 reported that an arson fire damaged the front door of a Plano, TX church on July 23rd. Church leaders stated that the church has been working with police since a June 25 incident with a hate group intruding on worship services.  WND  reported last month, that in the year after the Dobbs decision, attacks against pro-life organizations, including church arson, topped 300.

U.S. Fire Administration (fema.gov) outlines an arson progression:

• Trespassing
• Vandalism
• Minor Arson
• Serious arson

FBOs should consider watching for indicators of a threat and taking steps to protect against Fire as a Weapon attacks and accidental fires.

CISA’s Protecting Places of Worship: Six Steps to Enhance Security Against Targeted Violence and Fire As A Weapon Action Guide provide valuable information on protecting FBOs.