Watch Team Operations Manual

A Message from the Security Director

Legal & Ministry Disclaimer

Watch Team members shall not engage in enforcement actions, detain individuals, or physically intervene except as a private citizen acting under immediate necessity to prevent death or serious bodily harm — and only to the extent permitted by Florida law.

All incidents involving potential criminal activity, threats, or emergencies shall be immediately referred to the Guardian on Duty and/or 911, as the circumstances require.

The Guardian on Duty is a separately designated position. Guardians who carry firearms on church property must comply with all applicable Florida law, including Fla. Stat. §§ 790.06 and 790.115, and should operate under a written armed security plan.

Mission, Vision & Philosophy

Philosophy

• Prevention is the goal; response is the last resort.
• Visibility deters most problems before they begin.
• Clear communication prevents escalation.
• A calm, confident presence directly influences outcomes.
• We serve as watchmen — prayerful, prepared, and purposeful.

Florida Legal Framework

This Manual is developed with reference to the following Florida statutes applicable to church volunteer security operations. All Watch Team activities must remain within the legal boundaries established by Florida law.

• Fla. Stat. § 493.6102(13) — Unarmed volunteer church security exemption from Chapter 493 licensing requirements, provided they do not carry a firearm.
• Fla. Stat. § 493.6102(16) (eff. July 1, 2026 — SB 52) — Voluntary armed church security exemption: valid CWFL, Level 2 background check, and sheriff-approved armed security plan required.
• Fla. Stat. § 790.06 — Concealed Weapon or Firearm License (CWFL): required for any individual legally carrying a concealed firearm.
• Fla. Stat. § 790.115 — Firearms on school property: since FBCPC shares a campus with FBCA, all individuals carrying firearms must comply. Review carefully with legal counsel.
• Fla. Stat. § 776.012 — Florida's use of force laws: non-deadly force to prevent a forcible felony; deadly force only to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.
• Fla. Stat. § 768.28 — Florida's Volunteer Protection Act and church liability: proper training, documentation, and written policies are essential.
• Fla. Stat. § 39.201 — Mandatory reporting of child abuse: all individuals must immediately report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment. This duty cannot be waived or delegated.

Chain of Command

All Watch Team operations follow a strict chain of communication. No Watch Team member operates independently during any incident.

Roles & Responsibilities

5.1 Guardian Team Member

The Guardian is a trained, designated individual responsible for armed security and immediate threat response on campus. The Guardian serves as the primary protective force against violent threats.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide armed protection of church property, personnel, and attendees
• Serve as the primary responder to active threats or violent incidents
• Maintain situational awareness throughout every service
• Coordinate directly with the Watch Team Lead and team members
• Make immediate critical decisions during emergencies
• Initiate law enforcement and emergency services notification (911) when required

5.2 Watch Team Lead

The Watch Team Lead is the on-site coordinator for all Watch Team personnel during assigned services. The Lead operates as the direct liaison between the Watch Team and the Guardian on Duty.

1. Pre-Service Preparation

• Arrive no less than 30 minutes prior to service start
• Check in directly with the Guardian on Duty for current threat level, special instructions, and known individuals of concern
• Conduct a visual walkthrough of all assigned areas
• Verify all Watch Team members have arrived and understand their positions

2. Team Briefing & Deployment

• Assignment of all posts
• Review of emergency procedures (lockdown, evacuation, medical)
• Review of communication expectations and radio protocols
• Disclosure of any known concerns or alerts
• Reinforcement of Watch Team limitations: unarmed, observe-and-report only

3. Operational Oversight

• Maintain situational awareness of all team positions throughout the service
• Monitor radio traffic and remain accessible at all times
• Remain mobile and available for coordination — the Lead shall not be fixed to a single post

5.3 Sanctuary / East Entrance Team Member

Serves as one of the first points of contact for all individuals entering the facility. This role blends hospitality with deliberate security awareness and is strictly observe and report.

Behavioral Observation Indicators

• Clothing inconsistent with weather conditions; clothing that appears to conceal items
• Hands concealed or hidden; excessive fidgeting, pacing, or rigid posture
• Agitation, anger, confusion, or avoidance of eye contact
• Loitering near entrances without entering; repeated entry/exit attempts

5.4 Wallace Building Team Member

Maintains active interior visibility and situational awareness throughout the facility. This is a mobile security presence focused on early detection, deterrence through visibility, and timely reporting.

• Conduct continuous interior patrols, completing walkthroughs every 10–15 minutes
• Vary routes and timing to avoid predictability
• Report any unattended bags or packages immediately — do not touch or move

5.5 Children's Area Team Member

Assigned to protect the most vulnerable population. This is a highest-priority assignment due to the elevated risk associated with child safety, custody control, and access management.

5.6 Medical Support

Provides immediate on-site medical response to illness, injury, or medical emergencies. Operates strictly within the scope of training and certification (CPR, First Aid, AED).

Call 911 When:

• Individual is unconscious, unresponsive, or not breathing normally
• Chest pain, suspected cardiac event, or stroke symptoms
• Severe bleeding, trauma, or major injury
• Any uncertainty about severity — when in doubt, call

5.7 Parking Lot / Exterior Team Member

Maintains security presence outside the facility — the first layer of detection and deterrence. Observe-and-report only.

• Observe vehicles circling without parking; occupants remaining inside vehicles; erratic driving behavior
• Monitor building perimeter for propped or unsecured exterior doors
• Do not pursue or intervene beyond training and direction of the Lead or Guardian

Sunday Service SOP

6.1 Pre-Service Operations

• All Watch Team members arrive no less than 15 minutes prior to service start
• Check in with the Watch Team Lead; confirm assignment, readiness, and equipment
• Watch Team Lead conducts structured operational briefing
• Radio check: confirm all personnel on correct channel and can transmit and receive clearly
• All personnel move to assigned positions before doors open to the public

6.2 During Service Operations

• All personnel maintain assigned positions at all times
• Do not leave post unless properly relieved or directed by the Lead or Guardian
• Interior monitors conduct patrols every 10–15 minutes
• Report any concern immediately to the Watch Team Lead — facts only, no assumptions

6.3 Post-Service Operations

• Monitor main exits, hallways, and parking lot flow
• Children's Area Team Members remain on post until all children are properly released
• Assigned personnel conduct final walkthrough of all interior and exterior areas
• Watch Team Lead conducts post-service debrief
• All personnel accounted for before dismissal

Emergency Procedures

7.1 Active Threat / Lockdown

Immediate Actions

1. Call 911 Immediately — provide facility name, address, nature of threat, last known location, and description of individual. Do not assume someone else has called.
2. Notify Watch Team Lead and Guardian — concise, factual information: location, description, direction of movement.
3. Initiate Lockdown — all personnel shift to life-safety mode.

Lockdown Procedures

• Close and lock all doors in your immediate area
• Move individuals out of sight of doors and windows; position behind solid barriers
• Complete silence — phones silenced; no movement within secured room

If Directly Confronted — Run, Hide, Fight

• Run: escape if a safe path exists — move away from the threat
• Hide: secure yourself behind locked barriers, out of sight; silence all devices
• Fight: absolute last resort — when death or great bodily harm is imminent and unavoidable

7.2 All-Clear & Recovery

Lockdown remains in effect until an official All-Clear is given by law enforcement or authorized command. An All-Clear given by an unknown individual or over radio alone should be verified before acting.

7.3 Post-Incident Actions

• Report all observations to the Watch Team Lead immediately after the incident
• Remain available for law enforcement interviews and statements
• Complete all required incident documentation within 24 hours

Core Communication Principles

8.1 Chain of Communication

"One voice up — one voice out."

All Watch Team communication flows through the Watch Team Lead. Personnel shall not bypass the chain of command unless immediate life-threatening conditions require direct 911 activation.

8.2 Communication Standards

• Use plain language only — no codes, signals, or jargon
• Keep transmissions short, direct, and fact-based
• Report only what is directly observed — never speculate or assume

8.3 Priority Levels

Priority	Description / Action
Priority 1 — EMERGENCY	Active threat, medical emergency, immediate safety concern → Call 911 first; interrupt active transmissions if necessary
Priority 2 — URGENT	Suspicious individual, escalating behavior, custody concern → Transmit promptly via chain of command
Priority 3 — ROUTINE	General updates, non-urgent observations → Transmit when channel is clear

8.5 Immediate 911 Activation Triggers

• Weapons observed, displayed, or reported (firearms, knives, or any weapon used in a threatening manner)
• Any verbal threat to harm individuals, groups, or the facility
• Active physical altercations, especially if weapons are involved
• Any unconscious, unresponsive, or non-breathing individual; chest pain; severe bleeding or trauma
• Active threat or violent intruder — call 911 and initiate lockdown simultaneously
• Unattended items with wires, unusual markings, or leaking substances — do not touch; clear the area; call 911

8.8 Common Communication Errors (To Avoid)

• Delaying a 911 call while "waiting to see what happens"
• Assuming someone else has already called for help
• Downplaying verbal threats or dismissing early warning indicators
• Providing assumptions or speculation instead of direct observations
• Failing to identify yourself and your location in transmissions

Documentation & Incident Reporting

Accurate, timely documentation is a professional and legal obligation. All incidents must be documented within 24 hours of occurrence.

9.1 Events Requiring Documentation

• Suspicious individuals or behavior
• Verbal threats or disturbances
• Physical altercations
• Medical incidents (minor or major)
• Custody concerns or disputes
• Unauthorized access attempts
• Any situation involving law enforcement or EMS contact

9.2 Required Report Components

• Date, start time, and end time of the incident
• Specific location
• Names or descriptions of all individuals involved
• Names of Watch Team members present as witnesses
• Step-by-step account of actions taken
• Outcome: how the situation concluded; whether law enforcement or EMS responded

9.3 Narrative Writing Standards

• Use objective, fact-based language
• Write in chronological order: initial observation → escalation → resolution
• Avoid opinions, assumptions, or emotional language
• Include all necessary details; omit unrelated information

Training Program

10.1 Initial Onboarding Training

All new Watch Team members must complete onboarding training before their first assignment, covering:

• Organizational structure: chain of command, roles, and responsibilities
• Core procedures: Sunday Service SOP, communication protocols, and escalation triggers
• Emergency procedures: active threat/lockdown, medical emergencies, and custody concerns
• Behavioral awareness: identifying suspicious behavior, recognizing escalation indicators
• Legal boundaries: observe-and-report limitations; use-of-force law; mandatory child abuse reporting

10.2 Monthly Refresher Training

Conducted monthly (first Saturday of each month); attendance is expected for all active members. Each session includes review of any SOP updates, communication protocol reinforcement, decision trigger review, and discussion of recent incidents and lessons learned.

10.3 Scenario-Based Training

Example scenarios include:

• Suspicious individual at entry point
• Parent attempting unauthorized child pickup
• Medical emergency during service
• Escalating verbal confrontation in a hallway
• Unattended item discovered during patrol
• Active threat — awareness and initial response

10.4 Documentation of Training

The Watch Team Lead shall maintain written records of all training sessions (date, content covered, attendees). Training records shall be retained for a minimum of two (2) years.

Watch Team Acknowledgment of Receipt & Understanding

Document Title: FBCPC Watch Team Operations Manual

I hereby acknowledge that I have received and reviewed the FBCPC Watch Team Operations Manual and understand its policies, procedures, expectations, and operational guidelines.

I acknowledge and agree to the following:

• I have been provided access to the Watch Team Operations Manual and it is my responsibility to read it in its entirety before beginning service.
• I understand the roles, responsibilities, and limitations associated with my position.
• I agree to comply with all policies, procedures, and lawful directives outlined in this Manual.
• I understand that failure to adhere to these standards may result in removal from the Watch Team.
• I understand that updates or revisions may occur, and I agree to comply with all future updates as directed.
• I understand that I have a non-delegable legal duty under Fla. Stat. § 39.201 to report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment directly to DCF or law enforcement, regardless of chain of command.

As a member of the Watch Team, I affirm my willingness to serve in alignment with Scripture. I commit to serve faithfully, with vigilance, integrity, and a heart of protection.

Indemnification & Liability Policy

Applies To: First Baptist Church Palm Coast (FBCPC) and First Baptist Christian Academy (FBCA), collectively referred to as "the Organization."

1. Indemnification and Hold Harmless

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all Watch Team members agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Organization and its respective leadership, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, demands, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising out of or related to the member's actions or omissions while serving in a Watch Team capacity.

2. Assumption of Risk

Watch Team members acknowledge that participation involves inherent risks, including physical injury, confrontation with individuals, and emergency response situations. By serving, members voluntarily assume all such risks.

3. Limitation of Authority

Watch Team members serve in a non-law enforcement, non-enforcement role and are limited to observation, reporting, and support functions unless otherwise authorized and credentialed.

4. Coordination with Armed Security

Watch Team members operate under the authority of the designated Guardian on Duty or responding law enforcement. Members shall not engage in physical intervention or use of force, except to prevent immediate death or great bodily harm to themselves or others, and only within the limits of training and Florida law.

Acknowledgment of Indemnification & Liability Policy

I acknowledge that I have received, read, and understood the Indemnification and Liability Policy set forth in Appendix B of the FBCPC Watch Team Operations Manual.

I understand and agree that:

• I am responsible for my own actions while serving on the Watch Team
• I will follow all policies, procedures, and lawful directives contained in this Manual
• I will operate strictly within my assigned role and training at all times
• I will defer all enforcement and tactical decisions to the Guardian on Duty or law enforcement
• I voluntarily assume the risks associated with participation in the Watch Team
• I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Organization as outlined in Appendix B
• I understand that I have a mandatory legal duty to report child abuse, neglect, or abandonment under Fla. Stat. § 39.201, independent of any provision of this Manual