Transcript The Bomb Threat Response Plan

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bomb Threat Response Plan
The Reality of Bombs
• Bombings are very rare. In the last three years, there were only
65 incidents where an actual explosive device was placed in a
school (excluding colleges and universities).
• However, from 1993-1997, juveniles were responsible for 34%
of the bombings in the United States. In some states, the
percentage is as high as 66%. 87% of the devices that juveniles
build function, which is 6% higher than the national average of
81% for all bombs placed on a target. Juveniles have built
sophisticated devices, some even using high explosives.
• We must investigate and respond to every bomb threat we
receive.
• To respond properly and consistently, we have created a bomb
threat response plan. This presentation will explain our plan.
The Reality of Bombs
• Even though bomb threats may be
frightening, we must remain calm and
professional. Our first priority is to
safeguard students and staff. We must stick
to the protocol to ensure that panic does not
occur.
• We must also take measures to prevent
bomb threats.
Penalties for False Bomb Threats
• Making a false bomb threat is a federal offense
punishable under United States Code 18-844e,
with a penalty of up to ten years in prison,
$250,000 fine, or both. This penalty also applies
to juvenile offenders.
University and College Policy
• Does your district have specific penalties
and sanctions if a student or staff member is
caught making a false bomb threat?
• Has your school adopted any additional
measures?
Prevention
• To combat bomb threats, we have
implemented a two-part prevention
initiative:
– Improve the physical security of the school
– Improve relations between students, faculty,
and administration.
• It is especially important that we listen to
students and make students feel comfortable
coming forward with information.
Prevention: Suspicious Items
• As part of our incident prevention effort, all
staff must be alert for suspicious items.
• School staff know what belongs in the
buildings and what does not. If you see an
item that you feel does not belong or makes
you suspicious in any way:
– DO NOT TOUCH IT.
– If possible, secure the area (such as locking the
door to the room where the item is).
– Notify the Site Decision Maker.
Prevention: Suspicious Packages
• Many bombs are mailed to the target. All staff who receive mail should be
aware of the possible signs of a suspicious package. The presence of a few
or many of these items should activate the suspicious item protocol.
 Foreign postmark, airmail, or special delivery markings.
 Postage irregularities, including excessive postage, no postage, or
unusual stamps.
 Return address irregularities, including no return address, a return
address that does not match the postmark, or a return address that
is not familiar to the person the package is addressed to
 Delivery address irregularities, including a title with no name, the
wrong title with a name,
 Badly typed or poorly written addresses
 Misspelled words
 Restrictive markings or special handling instructions, such as
"Personal," "Confidential," "Special Delivery," "Open By
Addressee Only"
Prevention: Suspicious Packages
 Suspicious package indicators (continued)
 Visual distractions on the package such as drawings,
statements, or handmade postage
 A rigid or bulky envelope
 An oddly shaped, unevenly-weighted, lopsided, or lumpy
package
 A strange odor coming from the package
 Oily stains or discoloration on the package
 Protruding wires or tinfoil
 Over-wrapping with excessive securing material such as tape
or string
 A package that is not expected by the addressee
 A package left by unknown person
Prevention: Suspicious Packages
 Although the presence of one of these conditions does not
mean, for certain, that there is a bomb in the package,
check further if any of these indicators are present. Find
out if the recipient is expecting the package, recognizes the
return address, and if the package is the right size for the
item expected. Verify the return address. If any of these
items come up a "no," investigate further and alert police.
 Most importantly, DO NOT OPEN ANY SUSPICIOUS
PACKAGES. Many mail bombs are triggered by the act of
opening the box or envelope. Leave the package where it
is, evacuate the area, and call the bomb squad.
Bomb Threat Response Plan
Your school needs to develop a bomb threat
response plan. We’ll now discuss the
details of that plan.
Bomb Threat Response Team
• Your school should create a Bomb Threat
Response Team. This multidisciplinary team has
the responsibility of determining and coordinating
the response to each bomb threat, as well as
interfacing with community emergency services
like fire and police.
• The members of our BTRT should be selected and
trained.
• Each BTRT member has a specific responsibility.
Your BTRT should create a bomb threat response
plan specifically for your school.
Site Decision Maker
The head of the BTRT is the Site Decision
Maker. This person will coordinate all
activities and make all final judgment calls.
An alternate should be selected in the event
that this person is not available.
Coordination with Emergency
Services
The BTRT should coordinate all its efforts
with fire, police, the bomb squad, and other
community resources. Each agency’s role
will be defined and emergency services
should visited the school to plan their
response. We are striving for a seamless
response to all incidents.
Facilities Review
In cooperation with emergency services,
you should conduct a review of your
facilities and implement additional physical
security measures where deemed
appropriate.
Communication Methods
• In the event that the BTRT needs to
communicate instructions to staff and
students, you should utilize a pre-selected
communication system.
• If that primary method is unavailable, a
secondary communication system should be
in place.
Threat Reception Protocols
The BTRT should implement specific protocols
for receiving a bomb threat and gathering
information. All staff should be trained in these
protocols.
Threat Assessment
• Once a threat is received, the BTRT is
assembled. The Threat Assessment Team
then assesses the threat and determines an
appropriate response.
• Responses may include search and evacuate
if warranted, evacuate, or another method.
Response
Once the BTRT and Threat Assessment
Teams have determined how to proceed, the
Search Teams may be assembled to search
the school and/or the Evacuation Units may
be deployed to oversee evacuation. These
teams should be trained and all staff should
be trained in evacuation procedures for a
bomb threat.
Response
If the threat maker is known and is a
student, the BTRT/TAT may take additional
steps, including interviewing the threatner,
and his/her teachers, friends, and parents.
The Team should then determine
appropriate immediate and long-term
responses to address the current situation
and the student’s long-term well-being.
Searching Own Areas
• If a search is called for, you should have a
communication method or code established.
• This will be your notification to check your
own area for suspicious items. Visually
sweep your room, looking for out-of-place
items. If you find anything out of the
ordinary, take the following steps.
Suspicious Items
Click the video box to begin.
Search Teams
The common areas of the building and the
exterior should be searched by volunteer
search teams who have been trained for this
activity.
Evacuation
If an evacuation is called for, notification
should be made through a predetermined
manner. Then, a specific evacuation
protocol should be followed. All staff
should be trained in this protocol.
Special Situations
• There should be additional steps for
situations when a bomb threat involves:
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A school bus
A special event
A field trip
Before or after school hours
During summer sessions
If There is an Explosion
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Administration should call 911, Fire, and Police.
Take cover. Remain where you are unless you are in immediate danger. If
you are in immediate danger, get quickly to the nearest safe location.
Notify the Office via immediately if someone you are with is injured or if you
are injured. Also notify the office if you have any information about the
explosion or what might have caused it.
If possible and you are trained, render emergency assistance to injured persons
in the area.
Administration should communicate instructions to staff as quickly as
possible.
Custodial staff should shut off gas and electricity to the building if it can be
done safely.
Administration should assess what exploded, where, and what injuries were
caused. They should determine evacuation course of action and communicate
with first responders.
As quickly as possible, EMS will treat injuries.
If the decision is made to evacuate, you should receive evacuation instructions.
Follow-Up
• The BTRT should debrief after every bomb threat
response to improve our procedures. Please contact
someone if you have feedback.
• In cooperation with law enforcement, the school
should investigate every bomb threat and attempt to
find out who perpetrated it and take appropriate
action. If you hear any rumors or discussions about
the threat, please speak to a member of the BTRT.
• Encourage students you work with to tell you if they
have any knowledge of who made the threat. Then,
report this information to the BTRT.
Follow-Up
• Your school should provide support services for
staff and students after a bomb threat.
• Your school should also properly reports each
bomb threat to law enforcement and to the district.
Thank You
Understanding and following procedures
will be extremely important in an
emergency where emotions may be running
high. Thank you for your attention.