Bomb Threat

Receipt of Call

• Remain calm and attempt to obtain as much information as possible from the caller.
• Listen closely to the voice of the caller to determine voice quality, gender, age, accents, or words used repeatedly. Obtain as much information as possible from the bomb threat checklist below.
  • Where is the bomb right now?
  • When is the bomb going to explode?
  • What does it look like?
  • What kind of bomb is it?
  • Did you place the bomb?
  • Why?
  • What is your address?
  • What is your name?
  • Any names of persons, agencies, or offices?
  • Note the date and time of the call.
  • If your phone has Caller ID, note the number of the caller.
• Do not hang up the phone.

• Note background noises such as a motor running, music, train, whistle, siren, airplanes, etc., which could indicate the location of the caller.

Immediately After Receipt of Call, Set Up Trace Before Making or Receiving Another Call

• Immediately activate a call trace. This must be done before making or receiving another call. The number of the last call will be reported to the local telephone company.
• To set up the trace, after the threat caller has hung up from the threatening call, pick up the receiver, wait for the dial tone, then dial *57 and listen to the instructions. (You do not need to press a leading 7 or 9 on a campus phone.)

After the Trace, What to Do Next

• Call the University Police at 724-357-2141.
• For Northpointe and Punxsutawney regional campuses and the Pittsburgh East Center: Call 911.
• Notify your immediate supervisor that you have received a bomb threat and have called the police. Do not state the nature of the call to anyone else.
• Complete the bomb threat checklist. Remain at your location until the police arrive. The officer will interview you regarding the call and take the checklist.

Receipt of Note

• Refrain from handling the note as much as possible for evidence purposes.
• Contact University Police at 724-357-2141 or call 911.
• Northpointe and Punxsutawney regional campuses and the Pittsburgh East Center: Call 911.

Receipt of E-mail or Text Message

• Do not delete the e-mail or text message.
• Contact University Police at 724-357-2141 or call 911.
• Northpointe and Punxsutawney regional campuses and the Pittsburgh East Center: Call 911.

Evacuation

• The director of Public Safety will determine if an evacuation is necessary and coordinate the evacuation of the building. Do not evacuate until told to do so by the police—evacuation routes may be unsafe. Follow police instructions.
• Police officers will allow no one to enter a building in which a bomb threat is suspected except authorized personnel. The director of Public Safety will decide when reentry is permitted.

Search Procedures

• The director of Public Safety will be in charge of the search. The University Police will conduct the search or other individuals authorized by the director of Public Safety.
• Under no circumstance should faculty, staff, or students touch a suspected bomb. Notify the police officer in charge of the search in your location of any suspicious objects.
• Do not use cell phones.