Procedure: Bomb Threat

Information  
The majority of bomb threats are benign. Take all of them seriously. The 911 dispatcher will tell you if you need  to leave the building.  
Procedure Steps: Bomb Threat Received by Handwritten Note  
1. Any Person—  
A. If required, immediately tell a person to find and bring the Event and Operations Manager or lead staff  member onsite.  
B. Immediately make a decision about the threat. If the threat is serious, immediately call 911. If the threat  is NOT serious, immediately call the police. Use any operational phone.  
C. Immediately stop handling the note to preserve any evidence (DNA, fingerprints, Etc.). 
D. Immediately alert other persons in the area. As required, use the church paging system (HOW?).  
Procedure Steps: Bomb Threat Received by Email  
1. Any Person—  
A. If required, immediately tell a person to find and bring the Event and Operations Manager or lead staff  member onsite.  
B. Immediately make a decision about the threat. If the threat is serious, immediately call 911. If the threat  is NOT serious, immediately call the police. Use any operational phone.  
C. Do not delete the message.  
D. Immediately alert other persons in the area. As required, use the church paging system (HOW?).  
Procedure Steps: Bomb Threat Received by Phone Call  
Call Receiver—Try to keep the caller on the phone, and ask a lot of questions. Use the checklists below.  
Call Receiver—  
A. If required, immediately tell a person to find and bring the Event and Operations Manager or lead staff  member onsite.  
B. Immediately tell a person to call 911. Use any operational phone.  
C. Immediately tell a person to alert other persons in the area. As required, use the church paging system found in the Fire panel in the Office Wing lobby.
3. Call Receiver—Ask the caller these questions. Legibly print the answers on paper.  
Question 
Question 
Where is the bomb located? 
What will make it explode? 
When will it go off? 
Did you place the bomb? If yes, why? 
What does it look like? 
What is your name? 
4. Call Receiver— Legibly print this information on paper.  
Question 
Question 
What were the exact words of the threat? 
What is the threat caller’s estimated age? 
Where is the threat caller located? 
Is the voice familiar? If so, who does it sound like? 
5. Call Receiver—Circle any of these characteristics that apply to the threat caller’s voice:
Female
Male
Accent
Angry
Calm
Clearing Throat
Coughing
Cracking Voice
Crying
Deep Voice
Deep Breathing
Disguised
Distinct
Excited Laughing
Lisp
Loud
Nasal
Stutter
Ragged
Rapid
Raspy
Slow
Slurred
Soft
6. Call Receiver—Circle any of these characteristics that apply to the threat caller’s background sounds. 
Animal Noises
House Noises
Kitchen Noises
Street Noises
Street Noises
Booth PA System
Crowd
Music
Motor
Static
Office Sounds
Factory Sounds
Local Number
Long Distance Number
7. Call Receiver—Circle any of these characteristics that apply to the threat caller’s language. 
Incoherent
Irrational
Profane
Pre-recorded
Well-spoken