EMERGENCY PLAN

for

CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL THREAT

If a telephone threat references a chemical or biological device or package, complete the Checklist for Telephone Threats (next page) and refer to safety procedures in the Bomb Threat and Hazardous Materials Emergency Plans .

This page addresses receiving, by mail or delivery service, a suspicious letter or package that might be a chemical or biological threat.

When sorting mail or receiving delivered packages:

·   Look for characteristics that make you suspicious of the content

o   excessive postage, excessive weight

o   misspellings of common words

o   oily stains, discolorations, odor

o   no return address or showing a city or state in the postmark that does not match return address

o   package not anticipated by someone in the college or not sent by known college vendor

If a letter/package is opened and contains a written threat but no suspicious substance:

·   Notify building administrator and law enforcement.

·   Limit access to the area in which the letter/package was opened to minimize the number of people who might directly handle it. It is considered criminal evidence.

·   Ask the person who discovered/opened the letter or package to place it into another container, such as a plastic bag.

·   Turn the letter/package over to law enforcement. Document all activities.

If a letter or package is opened and contains some type of suspicious substance:

·   Notify building administrator and law enforcement.

·   Isolate the people who have been exposed to the substance. The goal here is to prevent/minimize spreading contamination.

·   Limit access to the area in which the letter/package was opened.

·   Ask the person who discovered/opened the letter/package to place it into another container, such as a clear plastic zip–lock bag. Handle with gloves if possible.

·   Emergency officials will determine the need for decontamination of the area and the people exposed to the substance.

Building administrator:

·   Building administrator and emergency officials determine whether evacuation is necessary.

·   Building administrator notifies chancellor’s office. Notification is made to emergency contact, according to college policies.

·   Implement post crisis procedures as necessary.

Consider having gloves and zip–lock bags available at mail sorting areas.

CHECKLIST FOR TELEPHONE THREATS

If you receive a telephoned threat (bomb/chemical/other):

·   Remain calm.

·   Do not hang up. Keep the caller on the line as long as possible and listen carefully.

Ask the following questions:

·   Where is the bomb/chemical or other hazard?

·   When will it explode/be activated?

·   What does it look like?

·   What kind of bomb/hazard is it?

·   What will cause it to explode/activate?

·   What is your name?

·   Did you place the bomb/hazard? WHY?

·   Where are you?

Exact wording of the threat:  

If voice is familiar, who did it sound like?  

Caller ID information:

Call origin:

Caller’s voice: Note pattern of speech, type of voice, tone. Check all that apply.

Background sounds: Check all that apply.

Threat language: Check all that apply.

Did caller indicate knowledge of the building? Give specifics:    

            G

Person receiving call:  Phone number where call received:  

LEAVE YOUR PHONE OFF THE HOOK. DO NOT HANG UP AFTER CALLER HANGS UP.

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