The short answer
Large services and holidays need a temporary event-specific security plan layered onto the organization’s normal procedures. Estimate attendance, identify entrances and overflow areas, map parking and pedestrian flow, protect children’s spaces, confirm accessible routes, and review emergency exits. Account for visiting clergy, vendors, cash handling, outdoor activities, media interest, protests, and any known threat information.
What to know
Assign clear responsibilities to leadership, greeters, medical volunteers, professional officers, parking teams, and communications staff. Establish a command contact, radio or phone plan, emergency notifications, reunification location, severe-weather procedures, and criteria for calling 911. Coordinate with police, fire, emergency medical services, and the venue or landlord when appropriate. Do not publish sensitive tactical details in general announcements.
CISA recommends vulnerability assessment, layered physical security, well-communicated emergency plans, and exercises for houses of worship. Conduct a briefing before the event and an after-action review afterward. Arrow provides special-event and security-officer services, but staffing should be based on layout, duties, attendance, timing, and risk—not a generic attendee ratio. Book early enough for a site walk, written post orders, and relief planning.