All institutional personnel should know the procedures for handling a bomb threat emergency. The procedures are readily available and in the hands of all facility employees who, by reason of their assignment, might be expected to receive a phone call, a verbal or physical threat, or suspicious mail or packages. This category includes all telephone operators, mail handling personnel, receptionists, and secretaries to college officials.
Receiving a Threat
- Follow and document a bomb threat call as outlined in the Bomb Threat Checklist for phoned threats later in this procedure.
- Record the time and the exact words of the message with particular emphasis on the description and the possible location of the device.
- Be familiar with Letter and Parcel Recognition Points outlined in this procedure.
Reporting a Threat
- Immediately call the Emergency Coordinator. He or she will contact 911.
- Local law enforcement agency will be contacted immediately by the Vice President for Administrative Services.
Deciding to Evacuate
Immediately after evaluating the threat, law enforcement agencies will decide whether there might be validity to the threat. If they determine that the threat is valid, the Facility Evacuation Procedure will be activated.
Evaluating and Documenting the Threat
The majority of the bomb threats received are crank calls. There is frequently a clue to the validity of the threat in the message itself, or in the attitude and manner of the caller. That is why it is important to record the caller’s message exactly as it was given. After receiving a threatening call, a Bomb Threat Checklist should be completed immediately after contacting the Emergency Coordinator to report the call.
Deciding If the Threat Is Real
A bomber, in placing the call, will usually prolong the call and furnish some detail as to the location of the device and reasons for planting it. The call is frequently repeated.
A crank caller tends to be abrupt and hurried. Seldom are details provided regarding the type of device, the location, and reasons. The crank caller repeats the call less frequently because of the fear of the call being traced.
What to Do While Speaking to a Caller
Basic instructions are to be calm, and courteous. Listen, do not interrupt the caller. Pretend difficulty with hearing the caller’s conversation. Keep the caller talking. Did the caller appear familiar with the facility or building when he or she described the location of the bomb(s) or device(s)? If the caller seems agreeable to further conversation, ask questions like the following, jotting down his or her responses.
- What kind of bomb or device is it?
- How many devices did you place?
- When will it/they go off? At a certain hour?
- How much time remains until it goes off?
- Where is it located? In which building? In which area?
If the building is occupied, inform the caller that if the device detonates (goes off) it could cause injury or death.
Action to Take Immediately After A Bomb Threat Call
Notify Campus Security at extension 6000, 3500, or 6196.
This person will contact local law enforcement agencies. The President, and Vice Presidents will need to be notified.
Supervisors should be informed. Also, contact the Vice President for Administrative Services (ext. 6025) and the Executive Vice President (ext. 6048). Follow instructions given by the emergency personnel.
Please remember to record as much of the exact message received as possible.
| Category | Detail 1 | Detail 2 | Detail 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caller's identity | Male or Female | Adult or Juvenile | Approximate Age: |
| Origin of call (if you can tell or ask) | Local or Long Distance | Booth | Internal (from within building) |
| Vocal characteristics | Loud, Soft, or Pleasant | High pitch, Deep, or Raspy | Intoxicated or Other |
| Language | Excellent or Good | Fair or Poor | Foul or Other |
| Accent | Local or not local | Regional or foreign | Other |
| Manner | Calm, Angry, Emotional, or Laughing | Rational, Irrational, Belligerent, or Righteous | Coherent or Incoherent |
| Background noises | Machinery, trains, street, or office machines | Quiet, music, voices, or party atmosphere | Bedlam, animals, or other |
Letter and Parcel Bomb Recognition Points
The following are letter and parcel bomb recognition points.
- Foreign mail, air mail, and/or special delivery
- Restrictive markings, such as “confidential” or “personal”
- Excessive postage
- Hand written or poorly typed addresses
- Incorrect titles
- Titles but no names
- Misspellings of common words
- Oily stains or discolorations
- No return address
- Excessive weight
- Rigid envelope
- Lopsided or uneven envelope
- Protruding wires or tinfoil
- Excessive securing material, such as masking tape or string
- Visual distractions
Action to Take After Receiving A Suspicious Package
- Do NOT handle the package. Evacuate the area.
- Notify: Sandy Hoilman – Vice President for Administrative Services/CFO at extension 6025
- The Director of Crisis Management will then notify local law enforcement agencies.
Local Police: 9-911
County Police: 9-911
ATF: 1-800-283-4867 (ATF-GUNS)
FBI: (704) 377-9200 Local Fire: 9-911 State Police: 1-828-294-2226 (SBI) If the bomb threat is legitimate, the facility Emergency Evacuation Plan may be initiated.
or (919) 662-4500