1 April 2010
Army Lodging
Standard Operating Procedures
Bomb Threats and Suspected Explosive Devices
1. Purpose: Describes policies, procedures, and responsibilities for any Lodging staff
member who receives a bomb threat, or discovers an unattended object that raises
suspicion that it could be an explosive device or other dangerous object.
2. Scope: All Lodging operations
3. Authority Responsibility: All Lodging staff members. Checklist must be
maintained at each staff telephone.
4. Procedures:
a. Lodging Managers will obtain Bomb Threat and Suspected Explosive Device
plans for their installation, amend this SOP as warranted based on local policy and attach
the installation plan as an Appendix to this SOP.
b. Staff members shall be trained in responses to respond to telephonic bomb threat
to include the following:
1) Keep caller on line as long as possible. Ask the caller to repeat the message.
Record in writing as many words as possible spoken by the person making the call during
the call if possible or immediately after the call ends and emergency personnel have been
notified.
2) The person receiving the call should ask the caller the nature of the threat,
location of the bomb, and the time of possible detonation, if these details are not
provided.
3) While on the phone if possible, attract the attention of a co-worker to notify
them of bomb threat so that they can contact appropriate law enforcement officials.
FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, NO FURTHER RADIO, BEEPER OR
CELLULAR PHONE USAGE WILL BE ALLOWED BY ANY LODGING
EMPLOYEE ON THE PREMISES. This is required to ensure that if there is an actual
explosive device, that it cannot be detonated accidentally by radio waves and similar
electronic devices.
4) When the caller terminates the call, do not hang up the phone. The line
should stay open to assist law enforcement in tracking call. Initiate calls in
accordance with the emergency notification roaster. .
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5) At the end of the call, the person receiving the call should move to a secure
location and remain isolated completing Bomb Threat Form until appropriate law
enforcement officers arrive on the scene and interview the person. This will help the
employee focus their thoughts on the details of the incident.
6) The Military Police, Fire Dept personnel or Lodging Manager may issue
facility evacuation orders.
7) Lodging personnel will be prominent in the holding area to help maintain
order among the guests and employees. Employees will cooperate with law enforcement
in their investigation and provide guests with information, about the estimated time they
will be allowed to enter the facility. Do not discuss the details of the situation.
8) Lodging manager will notify their supervisor.
9) After law enforcement officers have declared the building secure, the lodging
manager must be notified, if they are not present.
10) Lodging personnel will assist guests with facility reentry in compliance with
lockout standards.
11) Any requests for information about the incident by individuals outside
lodging will be referred to the installation Public Affairs office.
c. Staff members shall be trained in responses to suspicious packages that might contain
letter or package bombs.
1) Look at the sender’s address. Is it a familiar one, IS THERE ONE?
2) Is correspondence from the sender expected? Do the characteristics of the
envelope or package resemble the expected cont3ents?
3) If the item is from another country, ask yourself if it is expected. Do you or
the recipient have relatives or friends traveling? Did you buy something from business
associated, charitable or religious groups, international organizations, etc.?
4) Unexpected mail that is of foreign origin or marked for special delivery to a
specific individual, bearing restrictive markings, such as: Confidential, Personal, or Eyes
Only.
5) Excessive postage stamps, not postal meter tape.
6) Poor handwriting and/or misspellings of common names and addresses.
7) Incorrect titles or parcels addressed to a title without the use of a name.
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8) Stains on the envelope or package, this may indicate leakage from an
explosive or an unusual odor (like ammonia, shoe polish or almonds).
9) Excessively heavy for its size or an extremely rigid envelope.
10) An inordinately uneven or lopsided envelope/package.
11) A metal object protruding from the envelope/package.
12) An extreme amount of masking tape or string around the Envelope/package.
13) Unattended suspicious items, like shopping bags, brief cases, luggage,
parcels, etc.
14) IF IT DOESN’T LOOK RIGHT, DON’T HANDLE IT! DO NOT TRY
TO OPEN IT. DO NOT IMMERSE IN WATER! ISOLATE IT AND EVACUATE
EVERYONE IN THE VICINITY TO A SAFE DISTANCE. Execute calls in
accordance with the Emergency Notification Roster.
5. Local Supplement:
Local Bomb Threat and Suspected Explosive Device plans to include the local Bomb
Threat By Telephone Data Sheet.
5. LOCAL Supplement:
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