Bomb Threat & Suspicious Package/Letter

---

Bomb Threat—Receiving a Phone Call

Receiving and reporting a threat:

• Remain calm and professional.
• Avoid a panic situation.

While Speaking to a Caller

1. Immediately upon receiving a call, try to remain calm and courteous.
2. Listen, do not interrupt the caller.
3. If you have Caller ID on your telephone, make note of the telephone number.
4. If possible, get someone’s attention and have them immediately contact 9-1-1. Have them make this call outside of hearing range from the caller.
5. If no one is in the area, contact 9-1-1 immediately after the caller hangs up.
6. To keep the caller talking, ask questions. If the caller seems agreeable to further conversation, jot down his or her responses on the Bomb Threat Checklist.
7. Document the call as outlined in the Bomb Threat Checklist for Phone Threats. Use the questions on the Bomb Threat Checklist.
8. Pay particular attention to background noises, such as motors running, music playing, vehicle traffic and any other noise which may give a clue as to the location of the caller.
9. Listen closely to the voice (male, female), the mood of the caller (calm, excited, despondent), accents or speech impediments.
10. Record the time and the exact words of the message with particular emphasis on the description and the possible location of the device.

After the Threatening Call

• If done previously, contact 9-1-1.
• Complete the Bomb Threat Checklist to the best of our knowledge.
• Work with Public Safety in evaluating the situation.
• Assist with the search of your work area (if you are requested to do so).
• Follow building evacuation procedures, but only when ordered to do so by Public Safety or other emergency personnel (police, fire, etc.).

Bomb Threat Checklist

View the Bomb Threat Checklist.

Receiving a Suspicious Package: Letter and/or Parcel–Written Threat, Unknown Substance

• Immediately report the incident to the Public Safety at ext. 7575 or call (567) 661-7575. Public Safety will decide if a building evacuation is necessary. If so, follow Evacuation Protocols.
• Advise your supervisor of your concerns.
• Do not raise a general alarm.
• Save all material for forensic examination by the police, including the envelope or container.
• Avoid unnecessary handling.
• Do not use a cell phone within 300 feet of a suspicious package.

Letter and Parcel Bomb Recognition Points

The following are letter and parcel bomb recognition points:

• Mailed from a foreign country.
• Excessive or no postage.
• Unusual amount of tape on letter or parcel
• Rigid or bulky package
• Protruding wires
• Unusual weight for the size of the package
• Strange odor
• Lopsided package
• Oily stain on wrapper

Restrictive markings and address issues such as:

• Marked Confidential
• Misspelled name and address
• Badly typed or written address
• Marked Personal
• Title with no name
• Wrong title with name

Precautions

• Handle with care. Do not move, shake or bump the parcel.
• Don’t open, touch or smell.
• Isolate the package or parcel immediately.
• Turn off fans, window air conditioners or space heaters.
• Remember: It may be a bomb—treat it as suspect.

Unknown Powdery Substance (inside or outside of package)

If the package contains any type of unexplained substance:

• Report the incident to Public Safety at ext. 7575 or call (567) 661-7575.
• Leave the package in place and isolate it. If you haven’t fully opened it yet, don’t.
• Move everyone away from the immediate area or room where it is located.
• Vigorously wash your hands with soap and water (this applies to anyone who may have come into contact).
• Keep anyone who may have been exposed in the general area until authorities arrive.

Suspicious Object

If a suspicious object is found during the visual search of your area follow these procedures:

• Immediately report the suspicious object to the Department of Public Safety.
• Advise your supervisor of the situation.
• Do not touch or move the suspicious object or package under any circumstances.
• Do not operate cellular telephones or 2-way radios.

In the event of an explosion, use these additional procedures:

• Determine the location and extent of the explosion.
• Contact 9-1-1.
• Help evacuate the area.
• Assist with any wounded or injured.

Note: Exercise extreme caution in an explosion situation. Remember the possibility of a secondary device. The explosion situation most likely will be a crime scene, as well as a bio-hazard area.