For more information, see
Delgado’s Emergency Planning, Response and Recovery Policy
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 en
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.
Approved 12/10/08
For more information, see
Delgado’s Emergency Planning, Response and Recovery Policy
Approved 12/10/08
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:
male
female
adult
juvenile
age
Call origin:
local
long distance
internal
cell phone
Caller’s voice: Note pattern of speech, type of voice, tone. Check all that apply.
Calm
Excited
Loud
Soft
Deep
Nasal
Raspy
Distinct
Slurred
Normal
Crying
Laughter
Slow
Rapid
Disguised
Accent
Lisp
Stutter
Drunken
Familiar
Incoherent
Deep breathing
Background sounds: Check all that apply.
Voices
Airplanes
Street noises
Trains
Quiet
Bells
Clear Static
Animals
Party
Vehicles
Horns
House noises
PA system
Music
Factory machines
Motor
Phone booth
Other:
Threat language: Check all that apply.
Well-spoken
(educated)
Foul
Taped Incoherent
Irrational
Message read from
script
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.
