The most common threats are made by direct telephone calls to the Police Department. However, some threatening calls are made to third parties such as television studios and newspaper offices.
There are two reasons for a caller to report that a bomb is to go off at a particular location:
- The caller knows that an explosive or incendiary device has been or will be placed in the Building and wants to minimize personal injury. The caller may be the person who planted the device or someone who has specific information.
- The caller wants to create an atmosphere that spreads panic and disrupts normal business activity.
LETTER BOMBS - SUSPICIOUS ITEMS
- Letters that are unusually bulky, weighty, lopsided, or rigid.
- Parcels or envelopes with oily stains or discolorations.
- Parcels or envelopes without a return address.
- Handwritten or poorly typed address.
- Foreign mail, air mail, or special deliveries.
- Restrictive markings such as "confidential", "personal", etc.
- Use of titles but no names.
- Excessive postage.
- Parcels or envelopes that simply do not look or feel ordinary.
HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS
- DO NOT handle the item.
- DO NOT attempt to open the parcel.
- DO NOT place the parcel in water.
- DO NOT remove any binding material.
- DO NOT pull or cut any material that protrudes.
Bomb Threat Received by a Tenant - Should a bomb threat be received by a tenant, the following guidelines should be used:
- Follow the Bomb Threat Record on the last page of this section. Try to obtain as much information as possible. Be prepared to relate this information to the police when they arrive.
- Immediately call the Management Office at 303-292-4500. Building Management will call the police. If possible, have a second individual call the Management Office while the bomb threat call is still in progress. Try to not use the telephone line that the Bomb Threat was received on so the police department can trace the call. Press “57” immediately after the caller hangs up.
- It is up to the Tenant to first decide if the threat is “credible”. The Tenant should determine whether or not to evacuate their space. Upon receiving a bomb threat, the Occupant’s Floor Warden, or whoever is identified, should conduct a search in their suite to locate a suspicious article. The Tenant is more familiar with the contents of their own suite and, if spotted, is more likely to identify an object out of the ordinary.
- The Management Office or the Tenant will give the recommendation to evacuate if necessary. The actual order to evacuate will be communicated to the occupants by the Floor Wardens.
- If evacuation is required, follow the instructions on the following pages.
- Be alert for any unfamiliar people and/or objects to point out to the police or Building staff upon their arrival. DO NOT touch or handle any suspected object.
- Await the instruction of the Police Department and/or Building Management. The Denver Fire Department does not conduct a search of the property. The Denver Bomb Squad arrives at the property only upon notification that a device has been located.
- Do not reenter the space until instructed.
If you receive a call from the Management Office notifying you of a bomb threat, the Floor Warden should determine whether or not to begin immediate search and/or evacuation procedures.
Bomb Threat Received by the Management Office - In the event that a bomb threat is received by the Management Office, the following action will be taken:
- The Police Department will be notified immediately.
- If a bomb threat is received against a specific floor, the tenant contact(s) in the affected area will be informed of the situation. The Floor Warden(s) will give the order to evacuate if necessary and any further instructions.
- Tenants should be alert for any unfamiliar people or objects to point out to the police or Building staff upon their arrival. DO NOT touch or handle any suspected objects.
- The Floor Warden(s) will make a complete search of the suspected areas to identify any suspicious items or items which do not belong in the space.
- If a bomb threat is received against the Building, and not a specific floor, public access areas, i.e. lobby, restrooms, public hallways, etc., beginning with the most accessible, will be searched.
Bomb Threat Tenant Evacuation
Civil authorities will advise the Management Office to evacuate the building. If your Floor Warden gives the order to evacuate, all of the following steps are followed:
- The Floor Warden will make sure all employees are notified.
- Everyone should proceed quickly, but calmly, to the nearest stairway exit. DO NOT RUN!
- The Floor Warden or Alternate should walk the suite to assist employees and make sure everyone is aware of the evacuation order.
- Once the evacuation has begun, no one should attempt to reenter the evacuated area until it has been declared safe by the civil authorities.
- A staging area, NOT IN THE BUILDING, should be designated off site. Floor Wardens should meet at the designated staging area and remaining occupants proceed to their staging area, where everyone should remain until further notice. No one should wander until directed by the Police or Building Management.
- The Floor Warden or Alternate should proceed to take a head count. If someone is missing, this information should be relayed to the Building Management.
