Suspicious Packages & Bomb Threats

In Case of a Bomb Threat or Suspicious Package

BOMBS - Bombs can be constructed to look like almost anything and can be placed or delivered in any number of ways. The probability of finding a bomb that looks like a stereotypical bomb is almost nonexistent. The only common denominator that exists among bombs is that they are designed or intended to explode.

Most bombs are homemade and are limited in their design only by the imagination of, and resources available to, the bomber. Remember, when searching for a bomb, suspect anything that looks unusual or out of place. Let the trained bomb technician determine what is or is not a bomb.

BOMB THREATS - Bomb threats are delivered in a variety of ways. The majority of threats are called in to the target. Occasionally these calls are through a third party. Sometimes a threat is communicated in writing or by a recording.

Two logical explanations for reporting a bomb threat are:

The caller has definite knowledge or believes that an explosive or incendiary bomb has been or will be placed and he/she wants to minimize personal injury or property damage. The caller may be the person who placed the device or someone who has become aware of such information.
The caller wants to create an atmosphere of anxiety and panic which will, in turn, result in a disruption of the normal activities at the facility where the device is reportedly placed.

Whatever the reason for the report, there will certainly be a reaction to it. Through proper planning, the wide variety of potentially uncontrollable reactions can be greatly reduced.

WHY PREPARE? - If you accept the reasons for reporting that a bomb is about to go off, you can better prepare to foil the bomber or threat maker.

Through preparation, you can reduce the accessibility of your building and identify those areas that can be "hardened" against the potential bomber. This will limit the amount of time lost to searching, if you determine a search is necessary. If a bomb incident occurs, proper planning will instill confidence in the leadership, reinforce the notion that those in charge do care, and reduce the potential for personal injury and property loss.

Proper planning can also reduce the threat of panic, the most contagious of all human emotions. Once a state of panic has been reached, the potential for injury and property damage is greatly increased. In the context of a bomb threat, panic is the ultimate achievement ot the caller.

Be prepared! There is no excuse for not taking every step necessary to meet the threat.

HOW TO PREPARE. - In preparing to cope with a bomb incident, it is necessary to develope two separate plans, namely a security plan and a bomb incident plan.

Security provides for the protection of property, personnel, facilities, and material against unauthorized entry, trespass, damage, sabotage, or other illegal or criminal acts. The security plan deals with prevention and control of access to the building. In most instances, some form of security may be already in place, although not necessarily intended to prevent a bomb attack.

The bomb incident plan provides detailed procedures to be implemented when a bomb is found or threatened. In planning for the bomb incident, a definite chain of command must be established. Only by using established procedures can the bomb incident be handled with the least risk to all concerned. A clearly defined line of authority will instill confidence and avoid panic.

Establishing a chain of command is easy if there is a office structure of one business, one building. However, in a multi-occupant building a representative from each occupant entity should attend the planning meeting. A leader should be appointed and a clear line of succession established. This chain of command should be printed and circulated to all concerned parties.

In planning, you should designate a command center to be located in a focal point of telephone or radio communications. The management personnel assigned to operate the center should have the authority to decide whatever action should be taken during the threat. Only those with assigned duties should be permitted in the center. Obtain an updated blueprint or floor plan of your building and maintain it in the command center.

Contact the police department, fire department, or local government agencies to determine if any assistance is available to you for developing your security or bomb incident plans. Determine whether there is a bomb disposal unit available, how to contact the unit, and under what conditions it is activated.

Training is essential to deal properly with a bomb threat incident. Instruct all personnel, especially those at the telephone switchboard, in what to do if a bomb threat is received. Be absolutely certain that all personnel assigned to the command center are aware of their duties. The positive aspects of planning will be lost if the leadership is not apparent. It is also important to organize and train an evacuation team which will answer to the command center.

It has been suggested that a command center be located near a focal point of communications. It is critical that lines of communications be established between the command center and the search and evacuation teams. The center nust have the flexibility to keep up with the search team progress. In a large facility, if the teams go beyond the communications network, the command center must have the mobility to maintain contact and track search or evacuation efforts.

RESPONDING TO BOMB THREATS - Instruct all personnel, especially those at the telephone switchboard, in what to do if a bomb threat call is received.

It is desirable that more than one person listen in on the call if possible. To do this, a signaling system should be developed, perhaps by using a coded buzzer signal to a second reception point.

A calm response to the bomb threat caller could result in obtaining additional information. This is especially true if the caller wishes to avoid injuries or deaths. If told that the building is occupied or cannot be evacuated in time, the bomber may be willing to give more specific information on the bomb's location, components, or method of initiation.

The bomb threat caller is the best source of information about the bomb. When a bomb threat is called in:

Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Ask him/her to repeat the message. Record every word spoken by the person.
If the caller does not indicate the location of the bomb or the time of possible detonation, ask him/her for this information.
Inform the caller that the building is occupied and the 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, and any other noise which may give a clue as to the location of the caller.
Listen closely to the voice (male/female), voice quality (calm/excited), accents, and speech impediments. Immediately after the caller hangs up, using a different phone, report the threat to the person designated to receive such information.
Report the information immediately to the appropriate agencies. The notification should be established in the bomb incident plan.
Remain available, as law enforcement personnel will want to interview you.

When a written threat is received, save all materials, including any envelope or container. Once the message is recognized as a bomb threat, further unnecessary handling should be avoided. Every possible effort must be made to retain evidence such as fingerprints, handwriting or typewriting, paper, and postal marks. These will prove essential in tracing the threat and identifying the writer.

While written messages are usually associated with generalized threats and extortion attempts, a written warning of a specific device may occasionally be received. It should never be ignored.