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About the series
Safety and openness should never be mutually exclusive.
PHOWS was founded to help faith communities protect their people without giving up the welcome that defines them.
The why behind PHOWS
Built on a career in resilience.
Our founder is an executive strategic leader and consultant with experience across major corporations in finance, healthcare, retail, and food and beverage. As a Master Business Continuity Professional (MBCP) certified through the DRII Foundation, he has spent his career on risk management, program resilience, and advocacy, and on empowering teams to safeguard businesses and communities against the unpredictable.
Houses of Worship occupy a unique and delicate position. Their mission is to remain a welcoming, inclusive sanctuary for all, yet that openness can increase exposure to theft, vandalism, targeted violence, and medical emergencies. The challenge is not just installing security measures, but doing it without creating mistrust. Many safety leaders also face limited budgets, too few trained people, and no network of peers to learn from.
That is why PHOWS remains a free community outreach initiative, a bridge between the public sector and faith communities, so expert knowledge reaches everyone regardless of budget.
The need for incident preparedness
Risks, preparedness & response
An example of incidents that could affect members and the building, arranged by likelihood and impact. It isn't a complete list; it's a prompt to think broadly about risk and resilience.
- Active shooter / threat
- Hostage situation
- Bomb threat / suspicious package
- Facility fire
- Facility flood
- Severe weather
- Missing child / abduction
- Loss of power or communications
- Potential food-safety emergency
- Cyber attack
- Family / custody disputes
- Mission incident
- Financial donations missing
- Major medical emergency
- Campus protest
- Nearby violence / incidents
- Suspicious activity
- Minor medical emergency
- Campus theft
- Parking lot accident
Preparing doesn't mean expecting the worst. It means knowing how quickly a situation could unfold, how people would be informed and guided to safety, what resources are already in place, and where support is needed, so the House of Worship can stay focused on its mission even when circumstances change suddenly.
The PHOWS experience
You are not alone, and help is closer than you think.
Each session connects faith and safety ministries of all faiths with local and regional responders. Attendees network, compare best practices, and discover resources across the region, while public-sector officials strengthen relationships with the communities they serve.
Five years of sessions
A theme for every year.
Each year of the series has had a one-word theme driving its content.
Spring was devoted to developing the Safety Package and enhancing the website.
Agenda highlights & presenters
- Cutting-edge tech: Drones as First Responders with Frisco Police Department.
- Life safety: Ingress & Egress with the Frisco Fire Marshal’s Office.
- Crisis logistics: Volunteer & Donations Management with the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) and Office of Emergency Management (OEM).
- Emergency care: North Texas Poison Control insights and response.
- Exclusive updates: New PHOWS developments.
Looking ahead: two in-person dates and the 2027 theme are being planned. Details will be shared once confirmed.
In their words
What past attendees tell us.
- “Very informative. This information opened my eyes to many parts of our church safety response ministry.”
- “So grateful for you all organizing. I know it's a lot of work and it was a gift to all of us in the room. Knowing we can send the city our plans and give access to cameras was huge. I think our team just got better based on what I learned.”
- “Liked everything, especially the FBI presentation (Colleyville, TX).”
- “Up-front sessions were solid. Panel discussion helpful. FBI part, super interesting. Friendly welcome at the door.”
- “Liked the opportunity to network and share best practices.”
- “Liked learning where to look for resources, and the FBI presentation.”
- “Liked learning what PD has to offer, and the gathering of like-minded people.”
Be at the next meeting.
The fall meeting is Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 7:30 a.m. to noon CT. Registration details go out in the newsletter.