Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
an evacuation is of paramount importance. The bomb's location is equally
as important because it will determine which evacuation route will be
selected. And of course the question of what will cause the bomb to
explode is important because it might provide information that will pre-
vent the device from detonating. Exhibit 15.1 is a sample bomb threat
checklist. We reviewed similar checklists published by the Bureau of Alco-
hol Tobacco and Firearms, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and
various other federal state and local police agencies. In the exhibit we've
included the elements from each that we think are most important. Before
we discuss some of the other questions on the checklist, we should make
it very clear that the first and foremost priority after receiving a bomb
threat is to quickly gather information that will help save lives. The check-
list contains a number of questions to ask the caller. As we have men-
tioned, the person receiving the call should ask the safety-related questions
first and act on them. If the caller states that a bomb will explode in sev-
eral hours, there probably will be time to ask all the questions listed on
the checklist. Some questions may be answered and some may not. The
first five questions (they should be color coded in red when you use this
checklist in printed form) are the safety-related questions, which must be
asked first. Questions 6 through 10 are investigative in nature. These are
designed to obtain additional information that will be needed later by
investigators. The checklisted items are also geared to assist in a subse-
quent investigation of the attack or threat. These questions do not need
to be answered during the phone call. However, they will be very useful
to assist the person receiving the call in remembering as much detail as
possible. The instructions at the bottom of the form say to call 911 and
report the threat, but of course police emergency numbers vary from
country to country. Every employee should know the local equivalent of
“911” or how to contact the police as quickly as possible.
The other suggestion is to keep the caller talking as long as possible.
That suggestion, of course, gets tossed right out the window if the caller
tells you the bomb will explode in several minutes. Otherwise, try to get
as much information from the caller as you can. When you evacuate, take
the form with you and try to fill it out while the information is still fresh
in your mind.
Remember, the overriding concern when receiving a bomb threat is
safety. You must not waste precious time attempting to engage the caller
and obtain additional information if by doing so you put your life or
anyone else's life at risk.
