• Center for Problem oriented policing

previous page next page

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?
previous page next page