Appendix C: Questions to Ask When Coordinating the Bomb Threat Response Team

(Source: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 2003)

Police

• When should the police be called?
• When will police respond?
• Who will be sent?
• What is the police department's role at the scene?
• What is the school's place in the incident command structure?
• What information, materials and participation will the bomb squad require from school administrators?
• Where does evacuation decision-making power lie, with police or with the principal?
• Will police participate in searches and if so, when and how?
• When will an explosives detection canine be involved?
• Under what circumstances will police assume command of the scene?
• When do police relinquish command of the scene?
• Will police assist with evacuation and relocation of students and how?
• When will police declare the "all clear"?
• Who makes the decision to re-occupy the facility, police, the principal, or someone else?
• Who conducts follow-up investigation of bomb threats and how is the investigation conducted?
• What role will police have in the prevention of bomb threats?
• How can police assist in "hardening the target"?

Fire

• When should the fire department be called?
• When will the fire department respond?
• Who will be sent?
• What is the fire department's role at the scene?
• What information, materials and participation will the bomb squad require from school administrators?
• Will the fire department participate in searches and if so, when and how?
• Under what circumstances will the fire department assume command of the scene?
• When will the fire department relinquish command of the scene?
• Will the fire department assist with evacuation and relocation of students and how?
• When will the fire department declare the "all clear"?
• What role will the fire department have in the prevention of bomb threats?

Bomb Squad (also may include Explosives Detection Canine Unit)

• Who makes the request for the bomb squad?
• When will the bomb squad respond?
• Who will be sent?
• What is the role of the bomb squad at the scene?
• What information, materials and participation will the bomb squad require from school administrators?
• Will the bomb squad participate in searches and if so, when and how?
• What general procedures does the bomb squad use when dealing with a suspicious item?
• When will an explosives detection canine be involved?
• Under what circumstances will the bomb squad assume command of the scene?
• When will the bomb squad relinquish command of the scene?
• What role will the bomb squad have in the prevention of bomb threats?

EMS

• When should EMS be called?
• When will EMS respond?
• Who will be sent?
• What is the role of EMS at the scene?

ATF

• Under what circumstances should ATF be involved?
• Who makes the request for ATF?
• Who will be sent by ATF?
• What is the role of ATF at the scene?
• What information, materials and participation will ATF require from school administrators?
• Will ATF participate in searches and if so, when and how?
• Under what circumstances will ATF assume command of the scene?
• How does ATF work with law enforcement and the fire department?
• When will ATF relinquish command of the scene?
• What role will ATF have in the prevention of bomb threats?

Local Emergency Management Office

• When will local emergency management be involved?
• What role will local emergency management take?
• What resources does local emergency management have?
• How will local emergency management respond when called?