Bomb Threat Checklist

Precautionary Steps:

Understand your campus emergency plan.

Have Pre-established notification procedures.

Have an idea where to tell cadets and cadre to evacuate to.

Before A Bomb Threat:

When it is determined to evacuate, do so immediately! Do not stop to get personal effects.

Treat all bomb threats seriously, no matter how many times they occur.

Know what to do if news media shows up. Refer to Public Affairs representative.

NOTE: Don't evacuate people into an adjacent parking lot, a bomber may lure people outside during a hoax, into the blast zone of a bomb planted inside a vehicle or fixed object.

Stay clear of classroom or dormitory windows if you hear an explosion.

Have an established chain of command to direct actions.

Have emergency numbers readily available.

Be familiar with your facilities (know what belongs).

Create a bomb threat kit (should include building blueprints, photographs of office, classroom, or lab layouts).

Keep facilities clean.

Exercise your action plan.

Telephonic Bomb Threat Actions:

Keep the caller on the line as long as possible.

DO NOT HANG UP THE PHONE THAT THE CALL CAME IN ON!

Use another telephone to contact the police.

Write down what the caller said or record the call (every word spoken should try to be recorded/written down). Pay particular attention to background

Try to identify voice characteristics, accent

Try to get specifics on the bomb, i.e. locations, detonation time, etc.

Record the number the call was received on.

Record the time, date and duration of the call.

Remain available to law enforcement personnel for interviews.

Written Bomb Threat:

Do not disturb or excessively handle the document / envelope.

Search Procedures (If asked to help police search for device).

Search teams should, when possible, be made up of two people.

One member should be very familiar with the area.

One person can act as a runner to get authorities if something is found.

Search teams should be limited to the absolute minimum.

One search team per floor is usually the norm.

It is important to conduct a systematic and thorough search (refer to the Personal Protection Guide).

If a bomb is found during a security check:

Do not touch it! Also, don not disturb the surrounding area.

Leave the room and get the word out immediately.

Make positive identification of the location, a description of the bomb, and inform Public Safety.

Make sure people evacuating or searching know a device was found and to stay clear of the affected area

Suspicious mail (explosives, chemical / biological hazards):

Do not shake or submerge packages or letters in water.

Do not open it!!!

Contact the campus police immediately and follow their instructions!

Indicators of possible mail or package bombs are:

                                                       An unusual or unknown place or origin.
                                                       No return address.
                                                     Excessive postage.
                                                       Abnormal size and / or weight.
                                                       Oily stains on the wrapping or package.
                                                       Wires or strings protruding from or attached to the package/letter.
                                                       Different return address than the postmark.
                                                       Misspellings on the package.
                                                       Peculiar odors (almonds, shoe polish, etc.)
                                                       White or color powdery substance on or inside the envelope.