The purpose of having a bomb threat procedure is to ensure an orderly, safe and rapid response to: conducting searches; providing prompt and necessary information to authorities; rendering assistance to tenants, and evacuating and returning personnel in a timely manner.
Telephone Bomb Threat
In the event of a bomb threat either through a telephone call or by other means, the following procedure should be followed:
CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY: (If possible, have someone else call 911 during the call.) After calling 911, immediately contact the Management Office and Security at 617-621-1468 or 617-592-2792.
All employees, especially those answering phones, should keep a copy of this checklist on their desk or near their phone at all times in the event a bomb threat is received.
- Tenant Company Name:
- Name of Person Taking Call:
- Title:
- Date:
- Phone number call came in on:
- Time call was received:
IF POSSIBLE, ASK THE CALLER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
- When is the bomb going to explode?
- Where is it right now?
- What will cause the bomb to explode?
- Did you place the bomb?
- Why did you place the bomb?
- Sex of caller:
- Approximate length of call:
PLEASE CHECK THE ADJECTIVES THAT APPLY TO THE SOUND OF THE CALLER’S VOICE:
- Calm
- Laughing
- Lisp
- Disguised
- Angry
- Crying
- Raspy
- Accent
- Excited
- Normal
- Deep
- Familiar (if so, who did it sound like?)
- Slow
- Cracking Voice
- Slurred Voice
- Loud
- Nasal
- Rapid
- Clearing Throat
- Stutter
- Deep Breathing
- Soft
Describe Threat Language:
- Well spoken
- Educated
- Foul
- Irrational
- Incoherent Taped
- Describe Any Background Sounds Heard:
- Street Noises
- Crockery
- Voices
- PA System
- Static
- House Noises
- Motor
- Factory or Machinery
- Local
- Long Distance
- Telephone Booth
- Clear
- Cell Phone
- Music
- Animals
- Office
- Other
Letter Bombs
Letter bombs are designed to travel safely but to explode when opened, triggered by either mechanical (spring loaded) or electrical means. One common type of postal bomb consists of 2 to 5 ounces of plastic explosive with a pencil-shaped metal fuse pressed in its center. Envelopes usually measure approximately 5-3/4” by 4” by 3/16” thick and weigh between 2 and 5 ounces.
Some signs to look for:
- Size - Is the letter unusually thick?
- Weight - Is it heavy? An effective letter bomb will weigh over two ounces. Few first class letters weigh as much.
- Balance - Is it heavier on one end?
- Appearance - Are there grease marks on the envelope or wrapping caused by sweating of an explosive? Is the envelope sealed more tightly than usual or taped shut? Does it bear an unusual style of writing?
- Odor - Is there a smell of almonds or marzipan?
If you consider a parcel or letter suspicious, DO NOT OPEN IT. Immediately inform the Police Bomb Squad by calling 911 and then notify Security at 617-621-1468 or 617-592-2792.
Identifying and Handling a Suspicious Package
A suspicious letter or parcel might have some of the following indicators:
Origin - Postmark or name of sender is unusual, unknown, or no further address is given.
- Postage - Excessive or inadequate postage.
- Balance - The letter is lopsided or unusually thick.
- Weight - The letter or package seems heavy for its size.
- Contents - Stiffness or springiness of contents; protruding wires or components; oily outer wrapping or envelope; feels like it contains powdery substance (When checking, do not bend excessively.)
- Smell - Particularly almond or other suspicious odors.
- Writing - Handwriting of sender is not familiar or indicates a foreign style not normally received by recipient. Common words or names are misspelled.
- Rub-on block lettering.
- Do not excessively handle or open a suspicious package.
- Immediately segregate it in an unused room or space.
- Attempt to verify the sender and/or the legitimacy of the package (i.e. ask the recipient if he/she was expecting a package that matches the suspect package's size and shape.)
- If the letter or parcel remains suspect, call the police.
- Incident Response Protocol for Suspect Nuclear or Biological Release
- Contain the material to minimize the impacted area
- Contain the material to minimize the number of individuals exposed
- Contain the potential impacted individuals to ensure that they receive proper medical attention
- Remove non-impacted individuals from the area as quickly as possible
- Maintain control of all potentially impact materials.
Notification
- Notify Supervisor
- Notify local Emergency Response Authorities (Call 911)
- Notify the Security: 617-621-1468 or 617-592-2792
- Notify the Lincoln Property Company Management Office
- Notify Co-Workers in area
Containment
- If material is released, impacted or potentially impacted individuals should move from immediate area to adjacent control area. Minimize activities until appropriate response staff arrives. If absolutely necessary, move impacted individuals into nearest bathroom facility on floor.
- Non-impacted individuals on the impacted floor should be evacuated, and await further instructions from response team.
- HVAC system (heating and ventilation system) for impacted and adjacent areas, and bathrooms will be immediately turned off by the building engineers.
- Isolate impacted area(s), e.g. shut door during exit. Do not allow any unprotected personnel into the impacted area.
- Retain all impacted material for response team.
- Should evacuation become necessary, the authority and responsibility rests with the local officials of government. The Management Office; Managing Agent or Owner cannot assume responsibility for any consequences resulting from the decision to evacuate or not to evacuate.
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