If You Receive a Bomb Threat

Bomb threats should always be taken seriously. Do not assume that a bomb threat is a prank call or that they are only made to the Management Office. Anyone can receive a bomb threat and all building occupants should be prepared.

Telephone Bomb Threats

The person receiving the call should try to get as much information as possible from the caller and should WRITE OUT THE MESSAGE EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE CALLER. LISTEN CAREFULLY. You may be able to help authorities identify the caller, his location, or the location of the explosive by his comments, vocal characteristics and any background noise.

• Keep the caller on the phone for as long as possible. Ask the caller to repeat the message.
• Obtain as much information from the caller as possible such as location of bomb, time of detonation, appearance of bomb and callers’ reason for planting the bomb.
• Remind the caller that the building is occupied and that the bomb might cause the harm or deaths of innocent people.
• Once the caller has hung up, immediately contact the Management Office at 303. 628.1130 and provide the following information:
• Your name
• Your location (building and suite number)
• Your phone number
• Name of any other person who heard the threat
• Name of any employee threatened by the caller and his/her work location
• Time the bomb is to detonate if known
• Location and description of the bomb if known
• Any reason given for planting the bomb
• Any other information received from the bomb threat perpetrator
• Complete the Bomb Threat Questionnaire and provide it to management personnel as soon as possible after the call was received.

Written Bomb Threats

Upon receipt of a written bomb threat:

• Immediately notify the Management Office
• Do not destroy the note
• Do not let others handle the note
• Turn the note over to emergency personnel

Personal Receipt Of Bomb Threats

When a bomb threat is directed to a specific individual, he/she should immediately search his/her own workstation or office for unidentifiable or suspicious items. Please remember the following:

• Look for anything out of the ordinary or out of place.
• Look high and low - not just at eye level.
• Methodically search from one end of your work area to the other.

Searching Your Suite For A Suspected Bomb

Once a telephone or written bomb threat has been reported to the Management Office, occupants should search their suites for any suspicious packages. Following are some search guidelines:

• Do not rely on random searches in logical places.
• Explosives are concealed most easily in areas that have the easiest access
• Be aware of out of the ordinary articles that are foreign to the area.
• The bomb is likely to be packaged in a common container such as a shoe box, cigar box, a book, a grocery bag, an athletic bag, a suitcase or briefcase.
• Anything that does not belong, such as a book in the restroom, should be considered a suspicious object.
• When searching individual rooms/offices, start at the outside walls and move towards the center of the room.

NOTE: If a suspicious object is found, DO NOT TOUCH IT. Report the finding immediately to your designated emergency personnel and to building management.

Bomb Threat Questions

1. When is the bomb set to explode?
2. Where is it right now?
3. What does it look like?
4. What kind/size of bomb is it?
5. What will cause it to explode?
6. Did you place the bomb? Why?
7. What is your name and address?

Take note of the following details:

• Caller's Voice:
  
• Calm Angry Disguised Stutter
  
• Excited Rapid Slow Soft
  
• Ragged Cracking Whisper Nasal
  
• Loud Laughter Accent Lisp
  
• Crying Normal Raspy Clearing Throat
  
• Distinct Slurred Deep Deep Breathing

Is the voice familiar? If so, whom did it sound like?

• Threat Language:
  
  • Well Spoken Incoherent Righteous
    
  • Word Choice Foul Irrational
    
  • Taped Grammar Message Read
• Background Sounds:
  
  • Street Noise Booth Animal Noises Office
    
  • Café/Bar Voices Clear Static
    
  • PA System Music Long Distance Local
    
  • House Noises Motor Machinery Other

Any words or phrases that stood out?

• Sex of caller:
  
• Length of the call:
  
• Age of the caller:
  
• Time the call ended:
  
• Date:
• Exact wording of threat:

Once the call is terminated:

1. Call the Property Management Office at 303.628.1130. They will notify the Denver Police Department.
2. Inspect your work area but do not touch or remove any suspicious device or unusual objects.
3. Begin to write a complete report while all information received is fresh in your mind. Minor details may be valuable to the Police Department.
4. Contact your Floor Warden(s) and follow their instructions.

The following basic rules should apply if you are called to assist in a search or should evacuation be instructed (regardless of who received the threat):

1. Check your immediate area for any unusual packages or other objects not normally in the area being searched. You can search your area faster and more thoroughly for a suspicious package, since you know better than anyone if it belongs there. Remember to check the following areas on each floor under search:
   • Restrooms (waste receptacles, lavatories, under or around sinks and stalls, including back of doors and overheads
   • Elevator lobby areas and corridors
   • Stairwell landings

In conducting a search, work from the walls to the center of the room and the floor to ceiling. LOOK AND LISTEN. If lights are found off, LEAVE THEM OFF.

2. Do not accept container markings and/or appearance as sole evidence of a package's identification, content and legitimacy.
3. Do not touch or cover a suspected bomb or unidentified object.
4. Above all, stay calm.

If you Discover a Suspicious Object

Upon the delivery of all packages always be aware and:

• Do not accept the contents of any container as bona fide simply because it was delivered in a routine manner.
• Do not assume that container marking and/or appearance is sole evidence of its content, identification or legitimacy.
• Be aware of packages with incorrect titles or those marked “Confidential” or “Personal”.
• Do not open any suspicious package. Do not cut any cord, rope or wire on a suspicious package.

Be aware of the following signs that a package may include a bomb:

• Excessive postage
• No return address
• Excessive weight
• Incorrect titles
• Restrictive markings (such as “Confidential” or “Personal”)
• Oily stains or discoloration

Upon Receipt Of A Suspicious Package

• Do not allow anyone to handle the package.
• Immediately call the Management Office

SUSPECTED BOMB SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

The following safety precautions will acquaint all occupants with the dangers inherent in a bomb threat, bomb search, discovery and handling of all suspected bombs, or if you have any other reason to suspect a bomb is in the building.

While some of the precautions may seem elementary, do not dismiss them as unimportant. Adequate knowledge of these precautions may save your life as well as the lives of other persons working in or visiting the building.

If it is suspected that a bomb is in the building:

• Do not use radio equipment to transmit messages
• Do not change lighting conditions
• Remove all flammables
• Please make only necessary phone calls. Open phone lines are essential to effectively control the emergency.
• If a suspected bomb is identified:
• Do not touch it
• Do not attempt to move or carry it
• Remove all flammable material from the area
• During a bomb threat emergency, cooperate with all fire department instructions, including building evacuation.