Bomb threat procedure

Bomb threat procedure is an easy to follow guide for risk managers.

Bomb threats can be hazardous. Therefore, it’s important you adapt the procedure to suit your needs, local laws and prevailing best practice.

Contents 

1. Bomb threat procedure summary
2. Procedure template
3. Bomb threat incident report form

Bomb threat procedure summary

In summary, the bomb threat procedure is as follows:

1. How was the threat received? Telephone or postal bomb threat (go to step 2) Suspicious letter or package in the mail (go to step 5)
2. Is the phone call in progress? No (go to step 3). Yes (go to step 4)
3. Proceed to complete Bomb Threat Form – Call Not in Progress (below)
4. Proceed to complete Bomb Threat Form – Call in Progress (below)
5. Suspicious letter or package in mail: WARNING: DO NOT Drop, shake or throw it away. See advice below
6. After assessment select one of the following: The item is a powdery, residue or liquid can be seen on outside of item or leaking from it (go to step 7). The item could contain a book or video cassette, treat as a Postal Bomb or IED (go to step 8)
7. A powdery, residue or liquid can be seen on the outside of the item or leaking from it. See advice below
8. Where is the item? Inside (go to step 9). Outside (go to step 10)
9. Follow evacuation procedure
10. Stay in the building, move away from windows, contact emergency services.

Bomb threat procedure template

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Step 1

QUESTION: How was bomb Threat Received?

ANSWER: Telephone or postal bomb threat (go to step 2)

ANSWER: Suspicious letter or package in the mail (go to step 5)

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Step 2

QUESTION: Is the phone call in progress?

ANSWER: No (go to step 3)

ANSWER: Yes (go to step 4)

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Step 3

ADVICE: Proceed to complete Bomb Threat Form – Call Not in Progress (below)

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Step 4

ADVICE: Proceed to complete Bomb Threat Form – Call in Progress (below)

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Step 5

Suspicious letter or package in mail:

WARNING: DO NOT

• Drop, shake or throw it away.
• Attempt to open the package.
• Bend or flex the package in an attempt to ascertain the contents.
• Immerse the package in sand or water.
• lace it under a sandbag or other heavy object.
• Place the package in any container other than the one specifically designed for this purpose.
• Handle the package any more than is absolutely necessary.

Consider:

• Balance/Weight: Is the packet evenly balanced? Lopsided packages should be treated with suspicion. Packages that are disproportionately heavy for their size could contain an improvised explosive device, IED.
• Dimensions: A letter bomb is unlikely to be less than 3mm thick, or weigh less than 43 grams.
• Holes or Stains: Packages with grease stains or pin holes in the wrapping should be treated as suspect.
• Markings: Restrictive endorsements such as Personal or Confidential may indicate a suspicious item.
• Noise: Ticking or hissing sound may indicate presence of explosive device.
• Packaging/Postage: Has an excessive amount of wrapping or sealing material been used or has an excessive amount of postage been paid? To avoid any possibility of delay or enquiry due to underpayment.
• Smell: Some explosive materials smell of marzipan or almonds.
• The Flap: Is the wrapping completely stuck down? The absence of small gaps at the end of the flap might indicate a suspect item.
• Type of Envelope: Experience has shown that postal bombs are usually found in “Jiffy” bags or similar types of envelope.

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Step 6

QUESTION: After assessment select one of the following:

ANSWER: The item is a powdery, residue or liquid can be seen on outside of item or leaking from it (go to step 7)

ANSWER: The item could contain a book or video cassette, treat as a Postal Bomb or IED (go to step 8)

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Step 7

A powdery, residue or liquid can be seen on the outside of the item or leaking from it:

Initially

1. Set it down carefully on the nearest flat surface, the floor will do. DO NOT try to cover it or put it in a bag.
2. Warn everyone in the immediate area that you have found a powder package.
3. Tell everyone in the immediate area, at least 20 metre radius, to move away, but remain together.
4. If you’ve touched the package, wash your hands and face as soon as you can.
5. Be careful not to mix with colleagues outside the 20 metre zone to avoid risk of cross-contamination.

Then Contact Supervisor / Line Report:

1. Isolate the 20 metre zone.
2. Contain those people from the 20 metre zone in an appropriate location. Evacuation will be carried out under strict police and medical supervision.
3. Record the names of those contained.
4. Ensure the welfare of contained employees.
5. Wait for the police to arrive and follow their advice. Go to step step 8.

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Step 8

QUESTION: Where is the item?

• ANSWER: Inside (go to step 9)
• ANSWER: Outside (go to step 10)

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Step 9

ADVICE: Follow evacuation procedure

 ___

Step 10

ADVICE: Stay in the building, move away from windows, contact emergency services.

Bomb threat –  call in progress incident report form

Bomb threat – call in progress incident report form should have the following fields:

• Have you contacted the police?

• Time call completed (keep telephone line open even if caller disengaged)

• What is the telephone number?

• What is their address?

• What kind of bomb is it?

• What does it look like?

• What is their name?

• Why have they sent the bomb?

• Did they place the bomb?

• What will cause it to explode?

• When is it going to explode?

• Where is the bomb right now?

Bomb threat –  call NOT in progress incident report form

Bomb threat – call NOT in progress incident report form should have the following fields:

• Date & Time
• Site & Location
• Time Police contacted
• Background sounds (see page 19)
• Nationality (Male/Female)
• If voice sounds familiar, who did it sound like?
• If an accent, what accent?
• Caller’s Voice (see page 20)
• What was caller’s language like? (see page 21)
• Time and date of call

• Number on which call was received

• Length of call (in minutes)

• Additional Comments

What was said:

• What was the caller’s address?
• What was the caller’s telephone number?
• Time call completed
• Number call was received on
• What was the caller’s name?
• Where is the bomb right now?
• What will cause the device to explode?
• What kind of bomb is it?
• What does it look like?
• When is it going to explode?

What you noticed in the call: Background sounds

• Street noises?
• House noises?
• Animal noises?
• Crockery?
• Motor?
• Clear?
• Voice?
• Static?
• Booth?
• Music?
• Factory machinery?
• Office machinery?
• PA system?
• Other? (specify)

What you noticed in the call: Callers voice

• Well spoken?
• Irrational?
• Taped message?
• Offensive?
• Incoherent?
• Message read by threat-maker?

What you noticed in the call: Callers language, what was it like

• Calm?
• Crying?
• Clearing throat?
• Angry?
• Nasal?
• Slurred?
• Excited?
• Stutter?
• Disguised? Rapid?
• Deep?
• Hoarse?
• Laughter?
• Slow?
• Lisp?

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