If you receive a bomb threat or are delivered a suspicious package, report the incident to police authorities immediately and follow their advice.

  • If a bomb threat, use the following checklist to record information that could add the authorities in dealing with the event:
  • As close as you can recall, what were the exact words used by the caller?
  • When exactly did they call?
  • If they are still in communication with you, ask and record the answer to the following questions:
    • When will the bomb explode?
    • Where is the bomb right now?
    • What kind of bomb is it?
    • What does it look like?
    • What will cause it to explode?
    • Why did you place the bomb?
    • What is your name (and address if feasible to ask)?
  • Try to determine the answers to the following:
    • Is the caller male or female?
    • Are they an adult or juvenile?
    • Are they speaking in a high pitched, excited voice or slowly and calmly?
    • Do they slur their speech and sound intoxicated?
    • Are they angry or agitated?
    • Do they speak with an accent of any type?
    • Do they stutter or sound nasal when they speak?
    • Are there any background noises such as factory machinery, crowds, airplane or truck sounds, street sounds, etc.?
    • Is there anything else distinctive about the call or caller’s background?
    • Who else was present and witnessed the call?

Dealing with Suspicious Packages

Anyone handling mail or delivery items should be aware of the following:

Look for the anomalies in delivery items such as:

  • Rigid or bulky
  • Lopsided or uneven
  • Wrapped in string
  • Badly written or misspelled labels
  • Generic or incorrect titles
  • Excessive postage
  • No postage
  • Foreign writing, postage, or return address
  • Missing, nonsensical, or unknown return address
  • Leaks, stains, powders, or protruding materials
  • Ticking, vibration, or other sound

If you detect any of the above or feel uneasy about an object:

  • Leave the mail piece or substance where it was found. Do not disturb it or attempt to open it.
  • Do not shake the object.
  • If a substance of any type spill out, do not try to clean up the substance.
  • Clear the immediate area of all persons and keep others away.
  • Instruct people in the immediate area to wash hands and other exposed skin with soap and water.
  • Direct these people to a designated area away from the substance to await further instruction.
  • List the names of the persons in the immediate area of the mail piece or substance.
  • Cordon off the immediate area.
  • Shut down all equipment in the immediate area and HVAC systems including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning).
  • If possible without disturbing the mail piece or substance, begin to document: markings, labels, declarations, postage, Addressee’s name and address: Mailer’s name and address

Contact and pass information to the appropriate agency and 911.

Take actions and make appropriate notifications as directed or as published in the Appendix of this emergency plan.