BOMB THREAT SEARCH PROCEDURES JT Coleman Special Agent

BOMB THREAT & SEARCH PROCEDURES JT Coleman Special Agent Bomb Technician

BOMB THREAT PLANNING § What assumptions do we make about handling a bomb threat or suspicious item? § Are most bomb threats real or fake? § If a bomb threat has been received, who is normally responsible for searching a facility? Who would be ideal? § Does a bomb threat automatically mean evacuation? § Do you treat a bomb threat and a suspicious item the same? What is the difference? § Who makes the decision that a building is safe to be reoccupied after evacuating?

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Prior planning in Bomb threat situations is critical

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Bomb Threat Response Planning Requires input from: • Executive Management • Facility Employees • Maintenance • Security

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Considerations • Building size and layout • Number of employees • Construction of facility

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Minimizing the Threat • Restrict access • Inspect packages/deliveries • Control keys • Video surveillance • Lighting

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Threat Management • Identify • • Self Identify Secondary Party • Assess • • Community System • Manage • Maintain Interaction IDENTIFY ASSESS MANAGE

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Threat Evaluation • Person • • Event • • Personnel Concerns? Event Situation Recent Threats? Situation • Person Nature of threat? THREAT

BOMB THREAT PLANNING § Telephone § Note § Internet based platforms: § Email or social networking sites § 3 rd Party § News media § Police § Person

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Threat Evaluation • Technical Feasibility • • Operational Practicality • • Is it doable? Is it likely? Adversarial Intent • Does it make sense?

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Receiving Party: § The first person who becomes aware of • • Bomb threat Suspicious object § Capture threat § Immediately notify persons responsible for carrying out the bomb threat response plan § Preserve threat material § Remain calm

BOMB THREAT PLANNING http: //emilms. fema. gov/is 906/assets/ocso- bomb_threat_samepage-brochure. pdf

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Evaluating Bomb Threats

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Reporting Bomb Threats • Designate person in organization to whom all threats should be reported • Threat evaluation team • Designate person who should then contact the appropriate law enforcement organization

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Deciding to Evacuate The decision to evacuate is made after evaluating the threat using the guidelines provided by management.

BOMB THREAT PLANNING § Shelter-in-place § Initiate search procedures § Initiate evacuation procedures § Total evacuation § Partial evacuation § Affected area evacuation § Initiate a combination of search and evacuation procedures

BOMB THREAT PLANNING § “Evacuation only” plan § Assumes that safety of personnel is prime consideration*** § Circumvents calculated risk § Can significantly effect operations § Receipt of threat by Police or Fire § Decision to evacuate in certain instances may not be negotiable § Actionable intelligence may necessitate immediate evacuation § Prominent subversive group linked to recent bombings § Threat evaluation

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Evacuating • Minimum distance: 300 feet, behind cover • Be alert for secondary devices • Search evacuation routes • Have primary and secondary evacuation routes • Employee personal items (purses, etc. )? ? ?

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Receipted Party § Create an organization chart Incident Commander with clearly defined roles Runner § Specific to the organization Search Team Evacuation § Utilize modified Leader Team Leader Incident Command System (ICS) Runner Search Team Police Liaison Evacuation Team

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Conducting the Search An effective search requires prior planning and coordination both inside and outside the organization.

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Before Threat Received • Obtain plans of the facility • Identify Resources (Explosives K-9 s/Bomb Squads) • Divide into search zones • Identify search teams and points of contact • Provide searchers with instruction and supplies

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Basic Equipment Specialty Equipment • Flashlight • Mirrors • Marking equipment • Chalk • Tape • Fiber optic scopes • Communications

BOMB THREAT PLANNING § Primary means of communications § Benefits of a physical runner system § Minimization of Radio Frequency (RF) device use § Runners can reduce panic and rumor § Can identify emerging hazards § Make physical observations of fact § Deliver and transfer equipment § Locate members of teams between checkpoints § Assist with event and call logs

BOMB THREAT PLANNING A well defined plan, using a systematic pattern ensuring total coverage. § Interior search § Hazardous areas § Detailed room search § Evacuation routes § Exterior search § Hazardous areas § Parking areas § Evacuation areas

BOMB THREAT PLANNING § § § Do not touch suspicious items Isolate the object: § Move non-search personnel away to a safe distance/prevent others approaching Communicate safely to staff, visitors and the public § Employ safe and timely communication techniques reporting accurate information. § Do not transmit on cell phones or radios Do not alter environmental conditions If suspicious item is found, ensure that whoever found the item or witnessed the incident remains on hand to brief emergency response personnel “Always suspect the device is armed and ready to detonate”

BOMB THREAT PLANNING Special Agent Bomb Tech J. T. Coleman jtcoleman 3@fbi. gov Bomb Squad Commander Todd Cardin mike. meadors@bentonville. arkansas. gov