Suspected bomb
In the unlikely event that you receive or discover a suspected bomb, DO NOT HANDLE THE OBJECT AND IMMEDIATELY DIAL 911 TO REPORT IT. The Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) will determine whether an evacuation is necessary.
Bomb threat
Dial 911 if you receive or discover a bomb threat. For further guidance on specific types of bomb threats, please choose one of the following:
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- Find someone nearby and signal for them to dial 911 while you keep the caller on the line for as long as possible.
- Questions to ask the caller (record the answers
on a piece of paper):
- Where is the bomb located?
- When will the bomb explode?
- What will cause the bomb to explode? A trigger? A timer?
- What kind of bomb is it?
- What does the bomb look like?
- Why did you place it?
- Who is the target?
- What is your name?
- What is your location?
- Important things to note:
- Time of the call
- Age and gender of the caller
- Background noises
- Speech characteristics of the caller (tone, pronunciation, etc.)
- The caller’s emotional state (sad, angry, agitated, etc.)
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- Dial 911.
- Leave the e-mail or webpage open on the computer until authorities tell you otherwise.
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- Dial 911.
- Do NOT handle the item on which the threat was written, no matter what it is.
- On a piece of paper, record the following:
- Where the threat was found
- The date and time you found the threat
- Any situations or conditions surrounding the discovery
- Any other person you are aware of who saw the threat
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- Dial 911.
- If the person making the threat leaves, note direction of travel.
- Only attempt to detain the person making the threat if it is safe for you to do so.
- On a piece of paper, record the following:
- The threat exactly as it was communicated to you, including the date and time
- Name of the person making the threat, if you know them
- Sex, skin color, facial features
- Type and color of clothing
- Approximate height and weight
- Hair color
- Other distinguishing features (tattoos, piercings, etc.)
- Speech characteristics (tone, pronunciation, etc.)
- The person’s emotional state (sad, angry, agitated, etc.)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has identified common traits of suspect letters and packages, which may contain explosives.
