510 Bomb Threat

Original Approval Date: April 15, 2009
Revision Effective:
Supersedes:
 
Most bomb threats are received over the phone by anonymous callers. However, a threat may received by other means such as regular mail or e-mail.  Above all, it is very important to remain calm in order to obtain as much information as possible about the bomb and the caller.
 
The call recipient should try to keep the caller on the line as long as possible and try to record everything the caller relays for later reference.
 
If there is any doubt as to the validity of the threat, it should be treated as real and all precautions taken.
 
Any person receiving a telephoned bomb threat should ask the caller:

• When will the bomb explode?
• Where is the bomb located?
• What kind of bomb is it?
• What does it look like?
• Why did you place the bomb?
• What is your name and address?

Keep talking to the caller as long as possible and record the following

• Time of call
• Exact words of person making threat
• Age and sex of caller
• Speech pattern, accent, possible nationality, slang etc.
• Emotional state of the caller
• Background noise such as music, traffic, bar sounds etc.
• Let the caller hang up first. When the caller hangs up, call 911 and notify the supervisor.

If a suspicious package/envelope is discovered or bomb threat received:

• Do not approach or touch the package.
• CALL 911. Give as much detail as possible to the dispatcher. Let the dispatcher hang up first to ensure that they have concluded their conversation with you.
• Evacuate the building and go to the west parking lot. If the object is located in a room with a door, close the door so any potential blast may be confined to that space.
• Do NOT use two-way radios or cell phone. Using a two way radio in the area may trigger the device.