Bomb Threat Procedures

I. Introduction

It is the policy of Monmouth University to ensure that all employees, students, contractors, and visitors are protected from the possible risks associated with a bomb threat and/or a suspicious package. All bomb threats are taken seriously, and appropriate evacuation measures may be taken. Nearly all bomb threats are false alarms; however, all threats are taken seriously. All bomb threats (even if considered to be a hoax) must be reported to the Monmouth University Police Department (MUPD).

The purpose of this policy is to inform University personnel of the proper procedures to follow in the event of a bomb threat. All employees are required to familiarize themselves with these procedures.

Most bomb threats are received by telephone. These threats are sometimes reported by persons who want to create an atmosphere of anxiety or panic, which could possibly result in the disruption of normal activities at a specific location(s). Terrorist or politically motivated bombers usually select targets that will bring publicity and political gain. Criminally motivated bombers usually select targets for reasons related to revenge, intimidation, extortion, etc.

In the event a bomb threat is received, a command post will be established at MUPD Headquarters where authorized personnel will be stationed to direct operations.

Emergency coordinators will assist in coordinating the evacuation of their building or area. (According to the University’s Fire Evacuation Policy, there should be an emergency coordinator in each building. Employees should familiarize themselves with the location of the nearest emergency exit in your building. Each department head is responsible for accounting for his/her personnel. The building’s Emergency Coordinator should identify himself or herself to the first responding police officer.

The following procedures should be followed in the event you receive a phone call, a verbal or physical threat, or suspicious mail or package.

II. Receiving and Reporting a Threat

1. Remain calm; call MUPD at ext. 4444 and notify your department head.
2. The MUPD Shift Commander or his/her designee will immediately notify the Major Crimes Unit of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
3. If possible, obtain the following information by using the Bomb Threat Checklist:
   1. If your phone has a caller ID display, copy the numbers and/or letters. Do not hang up the phone. If possible, have another person listen in on the conversation. Immediately have someone contact MUPD from another phone. Give the name, phone number, and room number where the bomb threat was received so the person who received the call can be reached if needed.
   2. Listen. Be calm and courteous. Do not interrupt the caller. Obtain as much information as you can. Take notes on exact phrases or statements. Note the time the call is received, the sex and accent of the caller, his/her attitude, and any background noises that can help identify where the caller may be located (bells, talking, traffic, etc.). Try to keep the caller on the line as long as possible.
   3. The most crucial information you can obtain from the caller is what time the bomb will explode, where it is located, and the appearance of the bomb. Also ask if they placed the bomb, where they placed it, and their name.
   4. If the threat was left on a voicemail, notify MUPD immediately and do not delete or forward the message.
   5. Do not use two-way radios or cell phones: radio signals have the potential to detonate a bomb. If at all possible, use a landline telephone.
   6. Do not evacuate the building until MUPD arrives and assesses the threat.
   7. Do not activate the fire alarm. This may cause unnecessary panic.
   8. The MUPD Shift Commander will respond and make a determination whether or not the fire alarm should be activated, if occupants should evacuate, and/or to search the building.

Bomb Threat Checklist for Phoned Threats

Questions to Ask:

1. When is the bomb going to explode? When will the device function? When will the release occur?
2. What is the material involved? How much material is involved?
3. Where is it right now?
4. What does it look like? What kind of device is it?
5. What will cause the device to function?
6. Did you place the device? Why? Are there additional devices?
7. What is your name? Where are you? What is your address?

III. Suspicious Letter Or Package:

1. If you see a suspicious package, do not touch or move it. Evacuate the area. Do not assume it is the only package.
2. If the threat is received as a letter or in some other form of writing, upon discovery the letter or note should be immediately secured and the MUPD must be contacted at ext. 4444. The note should be handled as little as possible as it may be useful in an investigation. If the suspicious letter was not yet opened, do not open it. MUPD will collect the letter as is for further analysis.
3. Be familiar with the following Letter and Parcel Bomb Recognition Points:
   1. Foreign mail, airmail, an unexpected delivery, and/or special delivery.
   2. Restrictive markings, such as “confidential” or “personal.”
   3. Excessive postage.
   4. Handwritten or poorly typed addresses.
   5. Incorrect titles.
   6. Titles but no names.
   7. Misspellings of common words.
   8. Oily stains or discoloration.
   9. No return address.
   10. Excessive weight.
   11. Rigid envelope.
   12. Lopsided or uneven envelope.
   13. Protruding wires or tinfoil.
   14. Excessive securing material, such as masking tape or string.
   15. Visual distractions.
   16. Strange odor.
   17. Strange sounds.

IV. Evacuation Procedure

Once the circumstances of the threat are assessed, a decision will be made whether or not to evacuate an area or building of the University. You should remain calm. Do as directed—do not waste time.

If you are directed to evacuate, please do the following:

1. Take outdoor clothing, keys, handbag, briefcase, etc. with you if it can be done without delay. Evacuate via the nearest accessible exit. DO NOT RUN. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS.
2. In classrooms, the faculty member is responsible for immediately evacuating students from the building and ensuring that the classroom door is closed upon exiting.
3. In science laboratories, ensure that all burners, and/or open flames are turned off and gas jets are closed before leaving the classroom and the door is closed after you exit.
4. Staff and personnel in offices should make sure that all doors are shut as they leave.
5. In residential buildings, if safety and circumstances permit, upon exiting the building the Residential Life staff RAs should knock on the doors of the residents of their floor and direct the residents to immediately leave the building.
6. Each University building has a predesignated assembly point. Staff and students should gather at the assembly point as soon as possible for further direction. Further instructions will be provided by emergency responders; evacuees should stand a minimum of 300 feet from the building or where directed.
7. You are required to cooperate with emergency personnel.
8. Individuals with physical disabilities may remain in a building during an emergency evacuation only if they are nonambulatory, or when elevator assistance is essential for their evacuation and such individuals are located either above or below the ground floor. Please advise the appropriate emergency personnel if you require assistance. Evacuees who have knowledge of the location(s) of individuals requiring evacuation assistance should contact or seek out the emergency responders and provide that information after they have evacuated. All other persons physically able to evacuate should evacuate.

Once the area and/or building has been evacuated, Emergency Personnel and Facilities Management Staff will be posted at all possible entrance points to prevent people from inadvertently entering a hazardous area. Once evacuated, staff must not reenter the facility. If a search is needed, this will be performed by emergency personnel, who have been trained to deal with these types of situations.

When the situation has been resolved, emergency/security personnel will direct employees and students when it is safe to reenter the building or provide further direction.

Please Note: The Office of University Marketing and Communication (732-571-3445) will handle any press inquiries. University personnel are not authorized to make any statement to the press or news media.

V. Handling of Suspicious Unopened Packages or Envelopes

At any time a package or envelope is received that appears suspicious, these instructions should be followed.

Notify your supervisor and call the University Police Department at ext. 4444 or 732-571-4444 from your cell phone.

• Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious package or envelope.
• Do not carry the package or envelope, show it to others, or allow others to examine it.
• Put the package or envelope down on a stable surface; do not sniff, touch, taste, or look closely at it or at any contents that may have spilled.
• Alert others in the area about the suspicious package or envelope. Leave the area, close any doors, and take actions to prevent others from entering the area. If possible, shut off the ventilation system.
• Wash hands with soap and water to prevent spreading potentially infectious material to face or skin. Seek additional instructions for exposed or potentially exposed persons.
• If possible, create a list of persons who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized and a list of persons who also may have handled the package or letter. Give this list to the University police upon their arrival.