DEALING WITH BOMB THREATS EMERGENCY
Dealing with bomb threats is a critical aspect of emergency preparedness that requires swift and informed action to protect lives and property. This blog post explores the essential steps and best practices that organizations and individuals must follow when confronted with a bomb threat. From recognizing the threat to effective communication and evacuation procedures, our guide aims to equip health and safety professionals with the knowledge they need to respond confidently in high-stress situations. This article is brought to you by QHSE Documents, your go-to resource for free health and safety documents tailored for professionals worldwide.
1.0. BOMB THREATS
1.1. Purpose
This document uploaded by QHSE DOCUMENTS describes the requirements for handling threats to the facility/office, such as bomb threats.
1.2. General
1.2.1. Usually, bomb threats are received through company switchboard operators (listed telephone number) when called by a nonemployee. Employee or former-employee bomb threats may be directed to a management member whose office number may or may not be published.
1.2.2. A hoax caller usually will not give a reason for the bomb or a specific location; however, no threatening telephone calls will be ignored.
1.2.3. A serious caller probably does not want people harmed, or the person would not have phoned in the warning. It is essential for the employee receiving the call to remain calm and obtain as much information as possible from the caller.
1.2.4. Switchboard operators, their reliefs, and secretaries must be familiar with telephone bomb threat procedures.
1.2.5. A decision to evacuate is the responsibility of the senior QHSEDOCUMENTS Manager present. If a decision to evacuate is made, the evacuation process is the responsibility of the QHSEDOCUMENTS Director of Emergency Evacuations.
1.3. Telephone Bomb Threat
Telephone bomb threats will be handled according to the requirements outlined in this section. Telephone threats or warnings are liable to be received by anyone in the building. The most likely recipients of such calls are telephone operators, secretaries, and receptionists. Most bomb threat calls are very brief. The caller usually states his or her message in a few words and hangs up. However, whenever possible, every effort must be made to obtain detailed information from the caller. Refer to “Questions to Ask” found on the Bomb Threat Checklist (Form 000.000000). Most important, be sure the caller ends the call – not you.
During the telephone bomb treat conversation:
1.3.1. Stay calm.
1.3.2. Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Ask the caller to repeat the message. Record every word spoken by the person.
1.3.3. If the caller does not indicate the location of the bomb or the time of possible detonation, you should ask for this information.
1.3.4. Inform the caller that the building is occupied and that the detonation of a bomb could result in death or serious injury to many innocent people.
1.3.5. Pay particular attention to peculiar background noises such as motors running, background music, and any other noises that may give a clue to the location of the caller.
1.3.6. Listen closely to the voice (male, female), voice quality (calm, excited), accents, and speech impediments.
When the caller terminates the call, the employee receiving the threat must immediately call their supervisor or Facility/Office Management.
Any person receiving a bomb threat must be aware of the importance of communicating the threat information only to the proper personnel. Careless disclosure of a threat or warning can cause needless panic and create unnecessary difficulty and loss of time in responding to this type of incident.
1.4. Written Bomb Threat
1.4.1. When a message or letter is recognized as a bomb threat, further unnecessary handling must be avoided.
1.4.2. Save all materials, including any envelope or container.
1.4.3. Every possible effort must be made to retain evidence such as fingerprints, handwriting or typewriting, paper, and postmarks.
1.4.4. Immediately notify Facility/Office Management.
Any person receiving a bomb threat must be aware of the importance of communicating the threat information ONLY to the proper personnel. Careless disclosure of a threat or warning can cause needless panic and create unnecessary difficulty and loss of time in responding to this type of incident.
1.5. Letter Bombs
Hazardous mail devices may be constructed to fit within almost any familiar package or envelope. Such devices are usually made to detonate as the package or letter is opened. Your observation of any letter or package should raise your suspicions under the following circumstances:
1.5.1. Postmarked from a country directing a terrorist campaign
1.5.2. A sender’s writing that features a foreign style
1.5.3. Unbalanced contents or heavier on one side
1.5.4. Is or seems excessively heavy for its volume
1.5.5. Any feeling of springiness, but it does not bend or flex
1.5.6. Protruding wires that become loose and penetrate the wrapping or envelope
1.5.7. Wire or spring holes in its outer wrapping
1.5.8. Grease marks on the wrapping paper
1.5.9. A smell like almonds or another strange odour
1.5.10. Sent without your request (generally not known to incoming mail handlers)
1.5.11. Suspicious packaging such as tape around all edges instead of having a normal flap
1.5.12. A stiffness that suggests stiff cardboard, metal, or plastic is inside
1.5.13. Marked “personal,” “confidential,” “private,” or “eyes-only.”
1.5.14. Misspelled words, particularly words in common business use
1.5.15. Excess postage or postage from a foreign country (as an international corporation, the key here is too much postage)
1.5.16. Hand printing, no return address, or addressed to a high-ranking company executive
1.5.17. Poorly typed or written address
1.5.18. Incorrect titles for people who work in the facility/office
1.5.19. Addressed to a title, but no name
1.5.20. Labelling such as “ANTHRAX” or “THIS IS A THREAT”
1.5.21. Rattling or sloshing sound when handled
1.5.22. A city, state, province, or country postmark does not match the return address
Any one or combination of these characteristic circumstances must cause the recipient of such suspicious letter or package to:
1.5.23. Stop further handling of the letter or package immediately.
1.5.24. Follow the notification procedures in Section A.B.C, Written Bomb Threat.
1.6. Suspicious Objects and Packages
A suspicious object or package may be suspected for any of several reasons:
1.6.1. The package is labelled “Bomb,” “Danger,” “DO NOT OPEN,” etc.
1.6.2. The package resembles a bomb or is located in a place that does not fit the circumstances
1.6.3. The package does not belong to the particular area, or premises, or is out of place
1.6.4. The origin of the package is questionable or cannot be readily determined
1.6.5. The physical characteristics of the package are suspicious in size, shape, weight, or sound.
In the event a package or object is believed to be of a suspicious origin, do not touch it. Immediately follow the notification procedures in Section X.Y.Z, Written Bomb Threat.
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