Campus Security
Bomb Threat Procedures
Bomb Threats | Suspicious Packages | Evacuation Procedures | Summary

If a Bomb Threat is Received by Phone, Take the Following Actions

  • Record any information regarding the bomb threat and have it available for the police when they arrive.
  • If your phone has a display, copy the number or letters on the window display.
  • The most crucial information you can obtain from the caller is detonation time, location, and appearance of the bomb.
  • Don’t hang up, have someone call 911 from another phone.
  • Give the phone number and location of the phone that received the bomb threat.
  • When safe to do so, call Campus Safety & Security at 206-587-5442 for further assistance.

IF A BOMB THREAT IS RECEIVED BY NOTE, TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS

  • Do not handle the note.
  • Call 911 immediately.
  • When safe to do so, call Campus Safety & Security at 206-587-5442 for further assistance.

If a Suspicious Object or Package is Found, Take the Following Actions:

  • Do not touch or move suspicious object, or package.
  • Call 911 immediately.
  • When safe to do so, call Campus Safety and Security at 206-587-5442 for further assistance.
  • Campus Safety & Security and/or other emergency personnel will evacuate the immediate area and stop anyone from entering the area where the object or package is located.

If a Suspicious Package Arrives in the Mail, Take the Following Actions

  • Do not handle suspicious package.
  • Call 911 immediately.
  • When safe to do so, call Campus safety and Security at 206-587-5442 for further assistance.
  • Campus Safety & Security and/or other emergency personnel will evacuate the immediate area and stop anyone from entering the area where the suspicious package is located.

Signs of a Susupicious Package

  • No return address.
  • Excessive postage.
  • Stains.
  • Strange odor.
  • Strange sounds.
  • Unexpected delivery.
  • Physical appearance.

Evacuation Procedures

  • All persons shall move towards the nearest marked exit in a safe orderly fashion, if the exit is blocked move to the next nearest marked exit.
  • Wheelchair occupants or persons with mobility impairments have first priority for building elevators if elevators are operable and safe for use.
  • If it is safe to do so and time permits, take briefcases, purses, and jackets with you.
  • If it is safe to do so and time permits, close classroom doors, lock file cabinets and office doors as you calmly move to the nearest exit.
  • If it is safe to do so and time permits, secure all hazardous materials or equipment, close all hoods and drafts.
  • While evacuating, take care not to push, shove, or accidently knock others down.
  • If you see or know of someone having trouble evacuating and it is unsafe for you to help, please notify emergency personnel on site or call 911; you may also call the Department of Safety & Security at 206-587-5442. Make sure to give the exact location of the person(s) and the reason(s) why they are having trouble evacuating.

In the event that an evacuation is necessary, please follow Seattle Central Community College’s building evacuation procedures as well as the procedures for evacuation of mobility impaired persons.

Once outside of the building or campus, move to a safe distance of 100 yards or more; do not interfere with emergency personnel on site except to report vital information.

Here is a Re-Cap of Questions to Ask and Things to Notice if the Threat is Received By Phone

QUESTIONS TO ASK

  • When will the bomb explode?
  • Where did you put the bomb?
  • When did you put it there?
  • What does the bomb look like?
  • What kind of bomb is it?
  • What will make the bomb explode?
  • Did you place the bomb?
  • Why did you place the bomb where it is?
  • What is your name?
  • How old are you?
  • Where are you?
  • What is your address?

Try to Notice these Things About the Caller&squo;s Voice

  • Was the caller a male or female?
  • Did the caller have an accent? If so, what kind?
  • Was the caller’s voice loud, soft or normal?
  • Was the caller’s voice clear, muffled or normal?
  • Did you recognize the voice? Is it possible that you have heard it before?
  • Did the caller have any speech impediments?
  • Was the caller talking fast, slow, or normal?
  • Was the caller’s voice calm, emotional, angry or distinct in any other way?
  • Did the caller seem familiar with the surrounding area?
  • Was the caller well spoken, irrational, incoherent, or abusive?

Background Noises

  • Did you notice any street noises?
  • Did you notice any house noises?
  • Did you hear any planes or helicopters?
  • Did you hear any machinery?
  • Did you hear any voices in the background?
  • Did you hear any music in the background?

Final Things to Notice

  • Did the caller read any messages to you?
  • Was the call a local call or long distance call?
  • Was the call taped or monitored?

After the threat has been reported to the proper authorities please document the following things: your full name, and the manner in which the threat was received (mail, phone, note, or found). Document which phone received the threat (if the threat was received by phone); also document who the threat was reported to.

Depending upon the circumstances of the bomb threat, one or more of the following methods of communication may be used to alert our campus community that it is either necessary to evacuate, or safe to re-enter the building(s) or campus.

Emergency E-Mail & Text Messaging: Seattle Central Community College has the ability to send emergency campus alerts via e-mail and text messaging; cell phones must be equipped with a text messaging feature in order to receive emergency text alerts. If you have not already signed up for this important safety warning feature please do so now by clicking on the following link. https://alert.seattlecolleges.edu/LogIn.aspx

Word of Mouth: If the situation safely permits, Campus Safety and Security along with other staff may provide word of mouth notification to individuals present on campus that it is either necessary to evacuate, or safe to re-enter the building(s) or campus.

Seattle Central Community College Public Announcement System: When safe to do so; Seattle Central Community College will utilize its PA system to announce that it is either necessary to evacuate, or safe to re-enter the building(s) or campus.