Bomb Threats Campuses may be the subjects of bomb threats, although explosive devices are rarely found. A primary fact to be realized is that the operating function or purpose of a facility does not materially affect whether it will be susceptible to bombs or bomb threats. Any person or group, with a real or imagined grievance, can take it upon themselves to right their grievance by the harassment or even destruction of our campus. In the event a bomb threat is received, the chain of command must be established. The Director of Public Safety should be assigned as the person in charge. The police and fire departments should be notified. Based upon the available information, the credibility of the threat must be assessed, and the individual in charge must decide:
• Whether the building should or should not be evacuated; • The scope of any evacuation — full or partial; and • The duration of any evacuation.
The current policy of most law enforcement and fire protection agencies forbids police or fire officials from making any decision concerning evacuation or non-evacuation in bomb threat cases. In the event an explosive device is discovered, however, police and/or fire officials can order evacuation and other steps necessary to protect the public. Therefore, it is essential that the complete information on the bomb threat be obtained in order to make the necessary evacuation decision. In the event a bomb threat is received by telephone, a bomb threat report should be filled out as soon as possible while the information is still fresh in mind. If the threat is received through the mail or by other means, steps should be taken to protect the letter, note, or other evidence.
A sample list of the items of information to be obtained during a bomb threat are identified below.
If the Director of Public Safety or the individual in charge determines that a search should be conducted, then it should be conducted by individuals professionally trained in bomb search, identification, disarmament, removal, and disposal. Radios should not be used, as there is a remote potential for radio waves to cause the device to explode.
All calls related to a bomb threat should be documented by capturing the following information and this information should be reported immediately to the Public Safety Office:
Time Date
• •
• Exact Words of Caller. To assist in this area, the following questions should be asked: • When is the bomb going to explode? • Where is the bomb? • What kind of bomb is it? • What does it look like? • Why was the bomb placed? • Where are you calling from? • Description of caller’s voice? Male? Female? • Background noise? • Did the voice sound familiar? • Other voice characteristics
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