SPG Title: Bomb Threat Procedure
SPG Number:  SPG-1505/AC
Effective Date:    11/21/06
Approval Date:  11/21/06
Review Date(s):     
Revision Date(s):   
Schedule for Review & Update: Annually
Unit Responsible for Review & Update:    Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration
Sponsoring Unit/Department:  Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration
Regulation Title & No.:   
Board Policy Title & No.:  Institutional Security and Safety, BP-1505
Legal Reference:  
Cross Reference:  

PURPOSE

This procedure is designed to insure the safety of Pima County Community College students, faculty, staff and visitors when a bomb threat is received, or a suspicious item located.

PROCESS AND PROCEDURES

It will be the responsibility of the Director of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to assess the situation and formulate a plan of action. When a bomb threat is received, the Director of DPS will coordinate activity with the Campus President (for threats to campuses or educational centers) and the Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration (for threats to the District Office buildings or the Maintenance and Security building).

To expedite the response to a bomb threat, it is required that the membership and emergency contact telephone numbers for the College Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Campus Action Teams (CAT) be maintained with the Department of Public Safety and will be updated quarterly. In addition, the evacuation procedures for each campus, educational center, District Office and Maintenance and Security buildings will be on file with the Department of Public Safety and will be reviewed and updated each July by the Director of DPS.

Throughout this procedure, should the Director of DPS not be available to discharge his/her assigned duties, those responsibilities will be assigned to the Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration. Cellular phone numbers:

• Director of DPS, Stella Bay: 349-2918
• EVC for Administration, Charlotte Fugett: 603-2585

A.      NOTIFICATION OF A BOMB THREAT

1.  Bomb threats may be received by either telephone or written message. In the case of a written threat, it is vital that the document be handled by as few people as possible as this is evidence that should be turned over to the Department of Public Safety. If the threat comes via email, the email must be saved on the computer. If the threat is received by written communication or email, the employee receiving the threat must immediately notify the Department of Public Safety at extension 2700. Once this has been done, the employee or his/her supervisor must then notify the campus president (for threats to a campus or educational center) or the Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration (for threats to the District Office building or the Maintenance and Security building).

2.       Most bomb threats are transmitted over the telephone. When a telephoned bomb threat is received at the College by an employee, the employee receiving the call has the following immediate and urgent responsibilities:

• Obtain as much information as possible concerning the threat as guided by the Bomb Threat Checklist. If the caller refuses to answer the questions, the form will be completed as fully as possible.
• Immediately notify their supervisor of the threat as emphasized on the Bomb Threat Checklist.

3.       When the Supervisor is notified of the bomb threat, he/she has the following immediate and urgent responsibilities:

• Notify DPS Communications of the threat (ext. 2700).
• Notify the Campus President (for threats received at a campus or educational center) or the Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration (for threats received at the District Office building or the Maintenance and Security building).

4.       In the event DPS Communications receives the threat directly from a caller or second party, the Dispatcher receiving the threat has two urgent and immediate responsibilities:

• Immediately complete the Bomb Threat Checklist by asking the caller the information contained on the list. If the caller refuses to answer the questions, the form will be completed as fully as possible.
• Notify the Director of DPS of the threat.

B.      THREAT ASSESSMENT AND PROCEDURES

1.       Decision Making Authority

a.  The Director of DPS will consult with the Executive Administrator responsible for the site where the threat was received as to the advisability of evacuation. The decision to evacuate should be made after a thorough evaluation of the situation.

b.  The decision to evacuate will be made by the Director of DPS. The sites established evacuation plan will be followed unless the Director of Police determines that an unforeseen hazard requires a change in that plan.

c.  If the Director of DPS determines not to evacuate, he/she will consult with the Executive Administrator responsible for the site to conduct any other activities which are required to safeguard persons and property.

d.  The use of a bomb dog will be coordinated through the Department of Public Safety.

2.       Communications to Internal Parties during the Assessment

All methods of communication including radio, cellular phones and walkie-talkies, may be used unless a suspicious package is located.  If a suspicious package is located, the Director of DPS will determine whether or not it is advisable to use these forms of communication. 

In any event, onsite personnel may conduct all communications via land line telephones, runners, or voice.

3.       Building Searches

a.  The area or building will be searched by police officers, with the assistance of a trained CAT member or a trained staff person familiar with the area to be searched. The police supervisor at the scene will maintain a fixed command post with the Executive Administrator.

b.  Upon completion of the search, searchers will report to the command post.

c.  Should an actual or suspected explosive device be located, the Director of DPS will determine if the building is to be immediately evacuated.

d.  DPS Communications shall request response by the Fire Department, Paramedic Unit and Police Department of the jurisdiction where the suspicious package is located.

4.       Evacuations

Each Pima County Community College campus, educational center, remote site, the District Office and Maintenance and Security, shall have an evacuation plan developed in consultation with the Department of Public Safety. These plans shall be maintained at the Department of Public Safety and will be reviewed and updated each July by the Director of DPS.

a.  If a building is to be evacuated, and time permits, officers shall methodically, with the assistance of the CAT members, ask personnel to leave the building.

b.  If the imminent nature of the threat does not permit the time required for a floor by floor evacuation, or if the size of the building(s) makes it impractical to personally evacuate the building, the building shall be evacuated by use of the fire alarm system or by use of a public address system.

5.       Perimeter Security

DPS personnel at the scene of a bomb threat shall set up a building perimeter security to prevent access into the building. The on scene police supervisor is responsible for coordination of assignments and relaying those assignments to DPS Communications.

6.       Communication to External Parties

a.  All communications that are related to the emergency must be issued by the Public Information Office (PIO).

b.  No one except the PIO shall call the media to ensure quick and accurate reporting.

c.  Emergencies which significantly disrupt classes and service will be announced to employees, students and the public via the PIO.

7.       After Action

Following this event, appropriate campus or site staff will convene to critique the Campus/site response. Those responsible will modify the site plan as necessary.

C.      POST EXPLOSION PROCEDURES

1.  Decision Making Authority

1.    In the event of an actual explosion, the onsite police supervisor shall notify DPS Communications of the incident. DPS Communications will dispatch all available College police and community service officers to the scene. In addition, DPS Communications will request response by the Fire Department. Outside assistance from other law enforcement agencies and the University of Arizona Police Department may also be warranted. The on duty police supervisor:

• shall assume crime scene command.
• shall make the necessary assignments to insure public safety and crime scene security.
• shall request the Tucson Police Department Bomb Squad be notified to respond to begin a post explosion investigation. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms may also be called by the bomb squad unit to assist with investigation.
• shall notify DPS investigator for a joint investigation with other law enforcement agencies.

2.  Post Explosion Notification

1.    The following notifications shall be made by DPS Communications in the event of an explosion:

• Director of DPS
• Chancellor
• Public Information Officer
• Executive Vice Chancellors and Vice Chancellors
• Campus President
• Assistant Vice Chancellor for Facilities
• Other College department and representatives as deemed appropriate by the Director of DPS