BOMB THREAT PROCEDURES
A Bomb Threat call sheet should be accessible at the reception desk at all times.
Once a call has been received, the following steps should be taken:
REMAIN CALM ***** LISTEN
- Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Ask the caller to repeat the message. Record every word spoken by the person making the call.
- If the caller does not indicate the location of the bomb or the time of possible detonation, the person receiving the call should ask the caller to provide this information.
- Pay particular attention for any strange or peculiar background noises. Motors running, background music and the type of music or other noises might give a remote clue to the location of the caller. Listen closely to the voice (male female), voice quality, accents and speech impediments.
- Notify Des Plaines Police Department 911 or 847.391.5400.
- Notify Continental Offices Management Staff 847.376.2000.
- Complete Bomb Call Checklist.
- Continental Offices Ltd. will notify all tenants by calling and speaking to the head officers of each company.
- Tenants will be asked to search their immediate areas prior to evacuation since they are aware of what is familiar and should or should not be within their locations.
Although it is impossible to consider every kind of call, experience has revealed that bomb threat calls generally fall into one of three categories:
- The caller reaches a switchboard operator, receptionist, secretary, or guard, yells “there’s a bomb in the building” and hangs up. The information, though startling, is nonspecific; it is hurried and provides little reason to believe the threat is valid.
Although the authorities should be notified of this call, there is little basis for any other action.
- The caller is a little more detailed. He may state the possible location, such as “there’s a bomb in your building or it’s going off at 11:45! It’s going to wipe out that computer on a certain floor.”
This begins to assume some validity. You know the caller has knowledge of the facility if he named the floor as the correct location for your computer. This may be sufficient information to conduct a search on this floor. In a multi story building, it may require the evacuation of the floor named and the floors above and below.
- This caller gives enough information to be considered a real warning. He may identify the reason for the bomb; he’ll probably call more than once; and he’ll usually give an exact time. This caller may be a friendly “tipster” even identifying himself and the reason for the bomb. He may report information on how the bomb is constructed and the bomber’s motive if he is not the subject. This caller may even go through a third party such as a newspaper or radio station. It is to this caller that the most serious consideration must be given.
Preparing for a complete or partial building evacuation, designating an evacuation route, and developing a safe area for employees to wait during an emergency period are all part of an emergency evacuation plan.