Since 1995, over 1,500 houses of worship have been damaged by fire or bombing. Since that time, the National Church Arson Task Force (NCATF) has monitored every incident and identified common causes of fires. Many fires are preventable. The purpose of this booklet is to share what we have learned with the hope that it will help members of the faith community protect their facilities.
This booklet includes checklists designed to assist in determining your vulnerability to fire and bombing incidents. These guidelines have been developed from years of investigating and studying causes of fires, as well as from insurance companies and fire prevention experts. Leaders in the faith community are encouraged to utilize these checklists to see where improvements can be made. The lists are not all inclusive. You are encouraged to contact your local fire department, law enforcement agency or insurance representative for additional assistance.