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Fundamentals of Security for Houses of Worship and Large Gatherings

  • January 17, 2026
  • 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • ICL Classroom - 862 Main Street, Young Harris
  • 28

Registration

Course Leader - George Gaines

Course Fee - $25.00


The fundamental principles of security are the same for Houses of Worship and large gatherings or events. This is 8-hour classroom course introduces students to security fundamentals that underlie a safe environment for congregational events, without hindering normal routine and activities.

Students will master fundamental concepts, methods, and limited skills to detect, prevent, and neutralize threats to the safety of a church congregation or members of a large gathering.  

Although this course addresses the importance of physical self-defense and firearms skills in security, such skills are necessarily developed through additional training in these areas. For students wishing to develop these skills, the instructor offers laboratory (range) courses in physical self-defense, safe pistol handling and defensive shooting, and advanced tactical pistol shooting.

Goals:

1.  To provide the theoretical and practical know-how of guiding principles governing security

2.  To enhance technical and tactical skills necessary for the prevention and effective engagement of a variety of security threats

3.  To provide a foundation for communicating with other members of the security team

Objectives:

 1.  Identify and explain the three (3) elements of the Security Model

 2.  Apply the Security Model to an event setting

 3.  Explain the importance of having a deterrence strategy

 4.  Name at least three (3) types of level one (physical) deterrence

 5.  Explain why having easily identifiable security may be a bad idea

 6.  Explain the role of church greeters in security

 7.  Describe how rings of security should operate in an event

 8.  List at least five (5) sources of intelligence

 9.  Diagram the continuous outreach & reporting process

10. Explain differences between lone wolf and hate group attacks

11. Outline a plan for involving the congregation in security

12. Describe how law enforcement should work with event security

13. Given case studies that reveal advance knowledge of threats, propose actions to prevent

14. Given case studies without advance knowledge of threats, propose actions to prevent

15. Name at least five (5) characteristics of an effective greeter

16.  Distinguish between racial and predictive profiling

17. Explain the three (3) things that we must look for in order to recognize threat

18. Explain the rapid process for friend or foe determination

19. Recognize suspicious indicators at various event functions

20. Demonstrate skill in asking probing, friendly questions

21. Recognize the inherent danger posed by the spotlight effect

22. Identify steps to be taken should the threat be allowed into the event

23. After viewing video interviews with first responders and witnesses of church shootings, identify

security breakdowns and propose ways in which these tragedies could have been minimized or avoided

24. Identify organizational and legal requirements and options for a security team

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The instructor is Dr. George Gaines, Chief Instructor, Gaines Tactical Training, Hayesville, NC. 

Dr. Gaines holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Georgia, with specialization in training

psychology, performance testing & measurement.  He worked in academia and corporate life for over 40

years.  As a firearms instructor, he has trained thousands of students, civilian and law enforcement, and

has certified more than a hundred firearms instructors and range safety officers. He has achieved the

following certifications:

•       NRA Certified Instructor (Pistol, Home Defense, Refuse to be a Victim) 

•       NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer

•       USCCA Certified Instructor (Concealed Carry, Home Defense, Pistol)

•       USCCA Certified Training Counselor

•       Florida-Approved CCW Instructor

•       North Carolina Justice Academy Certified CCP Instructor

• Florida Public Safety Institute Instructor

In addition to the training required for his certifications, Dr. Gaines has accumulated nearly 3,000 hours

of advanced training with professional security.  He has adapted these principles to the security needs of

houses of worship, having trained over 300 members of house of worship security teams.


Classroom/Office Address:

862 Main St, Young Harris

Phone:

706.379.5194

Email:

icl@yhc.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 134

Young Harris, GA 30582

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