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Bomb Threats
Volume VII Chapter 9
______TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT
POLICY AND PROCEDURE
VOLUME:___ / CHAPTER: _ / # OF PAGES: 5 / REVISION DATE / PAGE #SUBJECT: Bomb Threats
EFFECTIVE DATE:
______, 200_ / ______
CHIEF OF POLICE:
CROSS REFERENCE #:
Vol. ___ Chapter _ / ______TOWNSHIP
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
POLICY:
The safety of personnel is the first consideration in any situation involving bomb threats and or bombs. The responsibility of protecting personnel, assets and equipment of a facility lies with management. This is an on-site responsibility which cannot be evaded, negated or shifted to someone else.
Bomb threats can be received by mail or telephone.
Upon receiving a bomb threat, an immediate search must be made so that the facility meets its responsibility for the safety of personnel. Evacuation at this point is a management decision. If a search uncovers anything that resembles a bomb or a package that might contain a harmful device, then evacuation should be your next course of action.
In the event a bomb threat is received or a bomb is discovered, the emergency chain of command will be activated. The decision to evacuate will be made by management in accordance with the policy established by top management.
The discovery of one device does not exclude the presence of another in other areas and a search of the entire facility shall be made. Evacuation routes should be at least three hundred (300) feet from the building behind cover.
PROCEDURE:
I. PERSON RECEIVING CALL
A.Most all bomb threats are made to a school, or office or industrial plant by telephone.
B.Individuals most likely to receive a bomb threat are:
1.Switchboard Operators
2.Plant and/or Administrative Manager
3.Plant or School Security Station Personnel
4.These individuals should familiarize themselves before hand with the following check list in order to be in a position to obtain as much evaluating information as possible.
C.The person receiving the threat should be made aware of the *57 feature for locating the incoming telephone call.
II.SHIFT SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
A.Upon receiving a report of a bomb threat, the shift supervisor will immediately contact the person in charge of the facility where the alleged bomb is located.
B.It will be the decision of that person as to what course of action will be taken. The management of the facility will decide to evacuate. It is not a police decision unless the threat is made towards a police facility.
1.The facility management shall be advised that if they want the MCSO ESU to search, the building must first be evacuated.
C.The ______Township Police Department will assist the personnel in charge of the facility where the alleged bomb is located.
D.The following is a check list that should be followed by the shift supervisor:
1.Notify highest level supervisor of the threat.
2.Have the person who received the threat fill out the Bomb Threat check list (Appendix #1).
3.The decision to evacuate could be determined by:
a.Reasonable certainty that call or threat is a hoax
b.Possible motives for the threat
c.Safety of personnel
d.Loss of production or time due to evacuation
e.Whether personnel should return after the building is secured
f.Legal liabilities if the building is not evacuated
g.Obviously, if a suspicious item is found, the building must be evacuated or part of the building (selective relocation)
E.Notify the ______County Prosecutor's Office Arson Unit of all bomb threats received.
III.EVACUATION
A.If the decision to evacuate is made, the person in charge of the investigation will assist in the following:
1.Be certain that all employees know the proper routes to take in an evacuation. Designate persons to help maintain order and traffic flow.
a.Police department should direct management to notify their employees.
2.Persons should be evacuated to a point at least three hundred (300) feet behind cover. This also means a floor above and below the suspicious item.
3.Controls must be established to prevent unauthorized access to the building once it is evacuated.
4.Do not touch or move any items. Leave the building in the same condition (i.e. windows open, lights on, etc.)
5.Have the fire department and first aid squad stand-by at their respective stations for a threat. If a suspicious package is located, then fire and first aid units will be dispatched to the scene.
IV.SEARCHING
A.Establish a control center where internal and external communications are convenient.
B.Do not use two-way radios. Radio signals could detonate certain types of explosive devices. Cellular telephones shall also be restricted during a search or while downrange on a package or device.
C.Have employees familiar in their own work areas check their areas as they are aware of what should be in their areas. They are also more familiar with possible hiding places for explosive devices. Public areas such as hallways, rest rooms, stairwells, utility closets and elevators should be check by security or maintenance personnel.
D.Do not touch a strange or suspicious object. Its location and description should be reported to the person designated to receive this information. (See emergency names and phone numbers.)
E.If the danger zone is located, the area should be blocked off or barricaded with a clear zone of three hundred (300) feet until the object has been removed or disarmed by the ______County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit.
V.SUSPICIOUS OBJECT LOCATED
A.It is imperative that personnel involved in the search be instructed that their mission is only to search for and report suspicious objects, not to move, jar or touch the object or anything attached thereto. The removal/disarming of a bomb must be left to the professionals in the ______County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Unit. Remember that bombs and explosives are made to explode and there are no absolutely safe methods of handling.
1.Report the location and an accurate description of the object to the Bomb Technician.
2.Do not attempt to cover the object.
3.Identify the danger area and block it off with a clear zone of a least 300 feet, include area below and above the object.
4.Do not open or close doors or windows.
5.Evacuate the building. Have control center calland have the ______County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Unit respond.
6.Do not permit re-entry into the building until the device has been removed/disarmed and the building declared safe for re-entry.
VI.BUILDINGS
A.The physical construction of buildings and their surrounding areas vary widely. Following are a few of the problems search teams will encounter:
1.Outside Areas
When you search outside areas, pay particular attention to street drainage systems, manholes in the street and in the sidewalk. Thoroughly check trash receptacles, garbage cans, dumpsters, incinerators, etc. Check parked cars and trucks. Check mailboxes if there is a history of placement in your area.
2.Schools
School bombings are usually directed against non-student areas. Find out which teachers or staff members are unpopular and where they work. The problem areas in schools are student lockers and the chemistry laboratory.
Student lockers are locked. No accurate record of the combinations are available because students change lockers at will.
Have the Bomb Squad cut off the locks if investigation reveals that there may be a device in a locker.
Chemistry labs should be treated with caution. The best procedure is to get the chemistry teacher and ask him/her to inspect the classroom, lab and chemical storage area with you.
3.Office Buildings
The biggest problem in office buildings is many locked desks. Electrical leads, electrical tapes, electrical eyes, electrical pressure mats, electrical micro-switches will all ring some type of alarm.
4.Auditoriums, Amphitheaters and Convention Halls
Look for cut or unfastened seats with a bomb inserted into the cushion or back. Check out the stage area which has all types of equipment, speaker platforms and the microphones. The area under the stage generally has crawl ways, tunnels, trapdoors, and storage areas. The entire roof area, in a theater, frequently has one huge storage room and maintenance area above it. Check all hanging decorations and light fixtures.
5.Elevator Wells and Shafts
Elevator wells are usually one to three feet deep with grease, dirt and trash and must be probed by hand. Have maintenance worker(s) check elevator shafts.
6.Shrubs and other landscaping features around and inside the building