PREPAREDNESS FOR Bomb Threats

Bomb Threats

Responding To Telephone Bomb Threats

• Instruct all telephone contact personnel, especially receptionists/telephone switchboard personnel, on what to do if a bomb threat is received.
• Take all threats seriously.
• If possible, have more than one person listen in on the call (a predesignated signaling system might have to be used).
• Remain calm. A calm response is likely to yield more useful information.
• Keep the caller on the line as long as possible.
• Ask him/her to repeat the message...every make not of words spoken by the person.
• If the caller does not indicate the location of the bomb or the time of detonation, ask for this information.
• Inform the caller that the building is occupied and detonation of a bomb could result in death or serious injury to many innocent people.
• Pay particular attention to background noises, such as motors running, music playing or any other nose which may give a clue as to the location of the caller.
• Report information immediately to the police department, fire department, ATF, FBI or other appropriate agencies
• Listen closely to the voice (male, female), voice quality (calm, excited), accents and speech impediments. Note any familiarity in the voice to acquaintances.
• Remain available, as law enforcement personnel will want to interview you.

Written Bomb Threats

• Save all materials, including any envelope or container.
• Once determined to be a bomb threat, avoid further handling
• Make every effort to retain evidence such as fingerprints, handwriting or typewriting, paper and postal marks.
• While written messages are often associated with generalized threats and extortion attempts, they should never be ignored.

Bomb Threat Evacuation Options And Considerations

• Do nothing. This option is a highly risky judgment call in that it assumes the telephone call was most certainly a hoax and any threat to life and property is highly improbable.
• Search without evacuation. Again this is a risky Option. If the risk is not deemed to be high or imminent and a panic situation can be avoided, occupants may be considered to be the most qualified to carry out a search of the premises. It is assumed occupants have a better understanding of what belongs or does not belong in any particular location at any given time. The objective is to identify potentially suspicious objects. Und no circumstance should such objects be handled.
• Evacuate and search. This option takes no chances and leaves searching to the professionals. Time permitting, evacuees should be instructed to leave doors and windows open and to remove personal belongings such as handbags, briefcases, shopping bags, etc. which might draw attention as suspicious objects and slow search efforts.
• Evacuation only. The decision to evacuate only should take into consideration the risk of injury, the potential for panic and the re-entry to the premises.
• Although the practice of evacuation and search can be very expensive, inconvenient and play into the hand of crank callers likely to repeat false calls...it is usually the most judicious option.

Coping With Workplace Threats And Violence

Angry or hostile customer or coworker:

• Stay calm. Listen attentively.
• Maintain eye contact
• Be courteous. Be patient. Don't become confrontational.
• Keep the situation in your control.
• If the customer or coworker vents and calms down, attempt to lay out a constructive course of action.
• If demands are irrational, quietly seek assistance of a coworker or supervisor if you don't think the situation will escalate and become dangerous.

Shouting, swearing, threatening person:

• Signal a coworker or supervisor (use a subtle duress or prearranged warning system) that you need the help of contract security or police.
• Do not make any calls yourself.
• Do not inflame the situation by being confrontational.
• Acknowledge that you understand they are upset.
• Patiently let the person vent their anger.

Threats with a gun, knife or other weapon:

• Stay calm. Quietly and carefully signal for help (use a subtle duress or prearranged warning system).
• Maintain eye contact.
• Stall for time.
• Keep talking...but follow instructions of the person with the weapon.
• Don't risk harm to yourself or others.
• Never try to grab a weapon.
• Watch for a possible chance to escape to a safe area.