Bomb Threats

Download our quick reference guide for Bomb Threat Procedures

Telephone Bomb Threat

You should do the following:

  1. Remain calm.
  2. Do not hang up; keep the caller on the line as long as possible and listen carefully.
  3. Note the time of the call and the specific telephone instrument on which it came.
  4. Note the caller’s number if your phone is equipped with caller ID.
  5. Note the exact words of the caller.

Ask the caller the following questions or listen for the following information:

  1. Where is it located?
  2. When does it go off?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. What is the caller’s name?
  5. What is the caller’s motive for placing the bomb?
  6. Are you a University employee?
  7. Are you a student?

Write down any information noticed, e.g., background noises, gender of caller, voice pitch, speech patterns, accent, etc. Call 911 immediately.

Written Bomb Threat

You should do the following:

  1. Remain calm.
  2. Call 911 immediately. Once discovered, do not touch, move, or open package, so it is not altered or destroyed. Preserve scene for Police.
  3. Keep others from handling or going near it.

Opened or Closed Suspicious Packages

You should do the following:

  1. Call 911 immediately.
  2. Do not use a two-way radio or cellphone within 100 feet of a suspicious package.
  3. Never touch any package that is suspicious. Do not attempt to touch, move, or open, as it could explode or spread.
  4. Keep others from handling or going near the package.