Policy

Staff in all library facilities should follow an established response protocol in the event of a bomb threat. If the police determine that the bomb threat is serious, emergency evacuation procedures should immediately be followed.

Application

Bomb threats may be received via telephone, a note, a computer message, etc. or you may become aware of a suspicious package . All staff should be familiar with this procedure.

Procedure

1. 1. If you receive a bomb threat:
   1. Remain calm.
   2. Refer to this section in your Emergency Procedures Manual.
   3. Begin asking the caller the questions in the FBI Call Threat Checklist and complete the checklist as you talk (card/sheet is available in red vinyl pouch by each phone).
   4. Keep the person on the phone as long as possible, pretending to not be able to hear the caller and/or stressing the importance of relaying accurate information.
   5. Copy the exact words of the caller; do not abbreviate or interpret their meaning.
   6. After the caller has hung up, report the bomb threat immediately to a supervisor or the person in charge (PIC), and no one else. CEN Staff - contact any supervisor/manager in person or via 'landline', do not call the PIC or security cell phones.  If there is no supervisor or PIC in the building, call 9-911 and ask for assistance with a bomb threat. DO NOT USE a cell phone, two-way radio or pager to contact 911.
2. Police: The supervisor or PIC will call 9-911 (police) and ask for assistance for a bomb threat emergency. DO NOT USE a cell phone, two-way radio or pager to contact 911 or afterwards.
3. Evacuation: The police will assist staff in determining whether evacuation is warranted.  They may recommend a partial or building-wide evacuation.  If the PIC feels the threat is imminent and there is concern about waiting for law enforcement to arrive, they may choose to evacuate the building.  Keep in mind which, if any, evacuation routes may need to be avoided.
4. Suspicious Article: If you should see a suspicious article, report this immediately to the supervisor or PIC. In addition:
   1. DO NOT TOUCH OR MOVE IT.
   2. Do not close the door, turn on the light switch, or disturb anything.
   3. If a suspicious package arrives through the US Mail system, DO NOT open it. Contact the US Postal Inspection Service at 9-1-206-442-6141
   4. Personnel from the responding agency will take over command and determine to what extent an evacuation is appropriate, as well as being responsible for defusing potential explosive devices.