Police Department

Emergency  (409)772-1111

Office  (409)772-1503

FAX (409)772-0524

How to handle a Bomb Threat

How explosive devices look

   Explosive devices can be made to look like just about anything:

• pipes

• books

• video tapes

• radios

• box

• cameras

What to do if you receive notification of a bomb threat

Phone call

• Note the telephone line (inside or outside call)

•  If the number is present, record it

• Write down the exact words used

• Note voice characteristics (age, gender, accent, temperament, disguised, muffled, etc)

• Note background sounds (machinery, traffic, children, music, voices, street noise, etc)

Receipt of a written bomb threat

• Remember the written document is physical evidence

• Do not allow the document to be handled by anyone but Campus Police Investigators

• The document may have latent finger prints and will be used for handwriting analysis and/or typewriter and printer comparisons

• Remember how you got the document (was it left on your desk, handed it to you, delivered in the mail, etc)

Evacuation

The decision to evacuate is a serious responsibility and shall rest with the President, the Vice President for Business & Administration or the head of the affected area

If there is a threat of an imminent explosion, and there is no time for delay, the Police Chief or designated representative may make the decision to evacuate.

The decision to re-occupy a building or area will be made by the President, the Vice President for Business & Administration or the head of the affected area.

Evacuation may be of the entire complex, a certain building, or a particular section of the suspected area.

• Evacuation should be completed at least 15 minutes before the bomb is scheduled to explode (if detonation time is known)

• Evacuation should be completed using the closest evacuation route and exit

• Elevators can be used

• Desks, lockers, closets, etc. should be left open to lesson the impact of the explosion

• Evacuation of “a selected area” should be communicated by word of mouth by police personnel

• Evacuation should be done rapidly and in such a manner not to provoke panic

Search Operations Management

• The Chief of Police or the ranking officer at the Incident Command Center, has complete charge of the search operation

• Employees should search their own areas prior to evacuation

• Search teams should include someone who works in the suspected area

• No radio communications or cell phones are to be used within the suspected area to prevent accidental detonation

• After searching an office space and finding nothing out of the ordinary, close the door to the office space and place a post it note.  Do not lock the door.

Finding a suspicious object

• Do not touch or move it

• Do not move any equipment or furniture beside it

• Immediately notify Campus Police by using a runner or corded telephone.

• Do not use a cell phone, radio or other wireless device.

• Evacuate all persons

SUSPICIOUS MAIL

What should you look for

Below are several characteristics that the United States Postal Service has identified of suspicious envelopes and packages. Pictured are letters sent to Tom Brokaw, NBC News and Senator Tom Daschle.  Both letters tested positive for the anthrax bacteria.

If you receive a suspicious package or envelope (with any of the above characteristics),  take the following precautions:

• Do not panic.

• Do not try to open it.

• Isolate the package or envelope.  An envelope can be placed in a plastic container and closed tightly. Do not carry the envelope or package into other areas since this could risk possible exposure to others.

• Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious package.

• Evacuate the immediate area and close any doors leading into it.

• Do not touch your face or eyes and wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible.

• If you feel that you may have inhaled a dangerous substance, cough or blow your nose into a tissue to minimize your risk of exposure.

• If possible, turn of local fans or ventilation units in the area, and shut down the building’s air handling systems.

• If possible list all the people who were in the room or area.  This will be useful for both local public health authorities for medical follow-up, and law enforcement officials for further investigation.

If you receive a suspicious mail at your workplace at UTMB, contact Campus Police at ext. 21111. 

If the package contains a powder or other unusual substance, also call Health and Safety Services at ext. 21781.

   If you receive a suspicious package at home or an off-campus location, call 911 to report it.

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