Procedure 3.12.2: In Case of a Bomb Threat

All reports of received bomb threats should be directed immediately to the HCC Security Office, Haywood County Sheriff's Department and the Clyde Fire Department. The recipient of the call should be questioned closely for a description of the call as soon as possible. The exact words used by the caller are important. Switchboard operators can often tell from voices and background noises if the call originated in the building. They may also be able to tell the sex, approximate age, voice accent, high or low pitch of the voice of the caller. Schools or receiving bomb threats should make available to the authorities a list of all absentees for that particular time and day. Voice recordings could be valuable.

Floor plan drawings should be available at all times when making a search for bombs. Maintenance supervision should stand by with all necessary keys. Evacuation of the building involved in a bomb threat is a must. If the bomb threat included a detonation time, the building should be evacuated at least fifteen minutes prior to this time. The search of the building should be completed as soon as possible.

  1. If detonation time was given, you may be limited by time to searching only the most obvious places.
  2. A bomb may be hidden in lockers, behind walls, under floors, buried in containers or packages.
  3. Search teams may be made up of law enforcement or emergency personnel. Employees of the threatened location often make the best searchers. They know the building and can often spot an object that does not belong in a given area.
  4. Because of danger involved, some employees will object to assisting in the search. However, if prior plans have been made explaining the reasons and procedures to them, they will usually cooperate.
  5. Searching, start from the lowest level and work up.
  6. Do not make random spot checks. Area or room should be divided in parts. Search teams should work toward each other, around walls and toward center.
  7. Mark each room or area that has been searched (chalk). A final visual check can then be  made to assure that no rooms are overlooked.
  8. Two‑way radios should not be allowed in search area. "Institute of makers of explosives" distance specifications are 150 feet from electric blasting caps.
  9. Doors, windows, skylights, etc. should be left open to relieve internal pressures. Leave lights on. Do not allow unauthorized personnel in the building. Exterior and under buildings should be searched.
  10. Bombs or unconventional explosive devices may be in any type package such as lunch boxes, shoe boxes, shopping bags, wrapped or tied packages. Under no circumstances should the search team attempt to move, disarm or unwrap any suspected item.

Consideration may be given to sandbagging the area but do not open suspected bomb.

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