Bomb Threats

Bomb threats should always be taken seriously. Do not assume that a bomb threat is a prank call or that they are only made to the Office of the Building. Anyone can receive a bomb threat and all building occupants should be prepared.

Telephone Bomb Threats

1. The person receiving the call should try to get as much information as possible from the caller and should Write the message exactly as received from the caller.
2. Listen carefully. You may be able to help authorities identify the caller, his location, or the location of the explosive by his comments, vocal characteristics and any background noise.
3. Keep the caller on the phone for as long as possible. Ask the caller to repeat the message.
4. Obtain as much information from the caller as possible such as the location of bomb, time of detonation, appearance of a bomb, and callers' reason for planting the bomb (please see the Bomb Threat Questionnaire found in section VII of this manual).
5. Remind the caller that the buildings occupied and that the bomb might cause the deaths of innocent people.
6. Once the caller has hung up, immediately contact the Office of the Building at (insert area code and phone number) and provide the following information:
   • Your name
   • Your location (Redwood Plaza and suite number)
   • Your phone number
   • Name of any other person who heard the threat
   • Name of any employee threatened by the caller and his/her work location
   • Time the bomb is to detonate if known
   • Location and description of the bomb if known
   • Any reason was given for planting the bomb
   • Any other information received from the bomb threat perpetrator
7. Complete the Bomb Threat Questionnaire and provide it to management personnel as soon as possible after the call was received.

Written Bomb Threats

Upon receipt of a written bomb threat:

1. Immediately notify the Office of the Building
2. Do not destroy the note
3. Do not let others handle the note
4. Turn the note over to building management or emergency personnel

Personal Receipt Of Bomb Threats

When a bomb threat is directed to a specific individual, he/she should immediately search his/her own workstation or office for unidentifiable or suspicious items. Please remember the following:

• Look for anything out of the ordinary or out of place.
• Look high and low - not just at eye level.
• Methodically search from one end of your work area to the other.

Searching Your Suite For A Suspected Bomb

Once a  telephone or written bomb threat has been reported to the Office of the Building, occupants should search their suites for any suspicious packages. Following are some search guidelines:

• Do not rely on random searches in logical places.
• Explosives are concealed most easily in areas that have the easiest access
• Be aware of out of the ordinary articles that are foreign to the area.
• The bomb is likely to be packaged in a common container such as a shoe box, cigar box, a book, a grocery bag, an athletic bag, and airline bag, a suitcase or briefcase.
• Anything that does not belong, such as a book in the restroom, should be considered a suspicious object.
• When searching individual rooms/offices, start at the outside walls and move towards the center of the room.
• Note: If a suspicious object is found, Do not touch it. Report the finding immediately to your designated emergency personnel and to building management.