Bomb Threat

Bombing, and the threat of being bombed are harsh realities in today's world. The public is becoming more aware of those incidents of violence that are perpetrated by vicious, nefarious segments of our society through the illegal use of explosives. The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Police Department is charged with providing protection for life and property, but they alone cannot be held responsible. Everyone on the Health Sciences Center Campus must do his or her part to ensure a safe environment.

Bombs can be constructed to look like almost anything, and can be placed, or delivered in any number of ways. The probability of finding a bomb that looks like the stereotypical bomb is almost nonexistent. The only common denominator that exists among bombs is that they are designed, or intended, to explode.

Most bombs are homemade, and are limited in their design only by the imagination of, and resources available to, the bomber. Remember, when searching for a bomb, suspect anything that looks unusual - let the trained bomb technician determine what is, or is not, a bomb.

Bomb threats are delivered in a variety of ways. The majority of threats are called in to the target. Occasionally these calls are through a third party. Sometimes, a threat is communicated in writing, or by a recording.

 

There are two logical explanations for calling, or making, a bomb threat:

1. The caller has definite knowledge, or believes, that an explosive, or incendiary bomb, has been, or will be placed. He, or she, wants to minimize personal injury, or property damage. The caller may be the person who placed the device, or someone who has become aware of such information.

2. The caller wants to create an atmosphere of anxiety and panic which will, in turn, result in a disruption of the normal activities at the location where the device is purportedly placed.

If a bomb threat is received over the telephone, take the following actions:

1. Stay Calm

2. Attempt to get the following information from the caller:

• WHERE THE BOMB IS?
• WHAT TIME IS THE BOMB SET TO EXPLODE?
• WHAT TYPE OF BOMB IS IT?
• WHAT TYPE OF CONTAINER IS THE BOMB IN?
• WHY WAS THE BOMB PLACED?, and
• WHO THE BOMBER OR CALLER IS?

3. Have a co-worker, or another person contact the OU HSC Police (14911) using another telephone, and as covertly as possible.

4. Write information down as the caller says it, and have the co-worker, or other person relay this information to the OU HSC Police.

5. Try to the keep the caller on the phone. Listen for any background noises; voice inflection; accent, and anything that would help to determine the origin of the call

6. Evacuate the building upon instructions from properly identified emergency response personnel, or as deemed appropriate in individual situations.

7. All evacuees should report to an outside predesignated area for accountability.

  LETTER AND PACKAGE BOMB INDICATORS

• DO NOT OPEN THE PACKAGE OR LETTER
• Isolate the package or letter, and evacuate the immediate area. Call the OU HSC Police Department IMMEDIATELY. @ 1+4911
• DO NOT put the package or letter in water or confined space such as a desk drawer or filing cabinet.
• If possible, open windows in the immediate area to assist in venting potential explosive gasses.
• If you have any reason to believe a letter, or parcel, is suspicious, do not take the chance, or worry about possible embarrassment, if the item turns out to be innocent. Instead, contact the OU HSC Police Department.