Bomb Threats & Searching Techniques — Missouri State Highway Patrol

Missouri State Highway Patrol — Bomb Squad

Introduction

Effectively dealing with a bomb threat begins long before the threat is received. A comprehensive plan is essential to assessing and managing the risk. The primary component of any plan is it must be adaptable.

Historically speaking, bomb threats have been communicated for one of three reasons:

• To disrupt normal operations of a facility.

• To create excitement or alleviate boredom.

• To endanger human lives while damaging property (in cases involving an actual explosive device).

This publication is not intended to be a substitute for having a comprehensive and adaptable plan. It is intended to highlight things that should be considered when drafting or updating your plan.

Physical Security

Don’t be an easy target! Protecting your facility can include simple actions such as locking unmonitored doors to a higher level of security, such as security cameras or security personnel. The best and most cost efficient defense is promoting the general awareness of site security among employees.

One of the best forms of security is employee awareness. Teach all employees they have some degree of responsibility for site security regardless of their job description.

Responding to a Threat

How a bomb threat is made is as unique as the person making the threat. Some possibilities include: in person, a telephone call, electronic mail, postal mail, or via the company website.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol provides a bomb threat checklist which is designed to assist in gathering helpful information at the time a bomb threat is made.

It is important that employees receiving threatening communications recognize that their primary responsibility is to elicit as much information about the nature of the threat as possible.

Decision-Making Process

Once a threat is received, the person in charge of the facility is responsible for determining the course of action. The process usually involves:

• Notifying Law Enforcement

• Evacuation

• Searching The Facility

Notifying Law Enforcement

This is always a necessary component of the response. Even in situations where a decision is made to give little credibility to the threat, the notification should always be made.

Evacuation

While evacuation may be appropriate in certain situations, the decision to evacuate should be given very careful consideration. The typical evacuation is usually very predictable, and where security is concerned, predictability equals vulnerability.

Searching the Facility

A bomb threat destroys the peace of mind of everyone aware of the event. The key to restoring peace of mind is providing assurance that the facility has been searched. An effective search must involve people who are familiar with the facility.

Search Techniques

Any thorough and methodical technique can be an effective search technique. However, this rule must always be followed:

When something suspicious is discovered, do not touch or disturb it. Stop the search, evacuate to a safer area, and report the discovery to the person in charge of the facility.

A recommended search technique assigns first priority to the area from floor to waist level, followed by waist to chin level, then chin to ceiling level.

If a suspicious object is discovered, a bomb squad response will be necessary. Do not attempt to cover or barricade the object. Do not close or lock doors on your way out.

Use of Two-Way Radios & Cellular Telephones

Radio frequency energy emitted by two-way radios and cellular telephones may cause detonation of improvised explosive devices. No person should use a two-way radio or cellular telephone while near a suspicious object.