BOMB THREAT 16.3A
TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
TITLE: BOMB THREATS/HAZARDOUS DEVICE INCIDENTS
GENERAL ORDER: 16.3B
EFFECTIVE: February 14, 2013
RESCINDS: 16.3A
PAGES: 7
CONTENTS:
This order consists of the following numbered sections:
I. GENERAL
II. BOMB THREAT (DEVICE NOT LOCATED)
III. BOMB THREAT (DEVICE LOCATED)
IV. DISPOSAL PROCEDURES
V. EXPLOSION PROCEDURES
VI. GLOSSARY
PURPOSE:
To establish guidelines for handling bomb threats and explosive or incendiary device incidents.
SCOPE:
This order applies to all Police Department members.
DISCUSSION:
The covert and criminal nature, and the potential for severe, possibly life threatening injuries of
bombing incidents makes the detection and disarming of explosive devices a highly dangerous operation. Members
should exercise extreme caution.
POLICY:
Bomb threats and incidents involving explosive or incendiary devices will be handled in conformance with
this order.
PROCEDURE:
I. GENERAL:
A.
Bomb threats and improvised explosive and incendiary device incidents will be thoroughly investigated with the
details documented on incident reports. Investigators and crime scene technicians will complete supplement reports as
required.
B.
A Bomb Emergency Checklist (Annex A) is provided to serve as a reminder of considerations, notifications, and
tactics when handling bomb/incendiary device incidents.
II. BOMB THREAT (DEVICE NOT LOCATED):
When a bomb threat is reported to the Police Department, but
he device has not been located, the following apply:
A.Communications Division Responsibilities:
G.O. 16.3A
1.
The Communications Division operator will maintain a line of communication with the caller until it is determined
that all necessary information has been obtained. The operator will obtain the following information, when possible:
a. The name, address, and phone number of the intended target;
b. The location, type, size, and the expected time of device detonation;
c. The name, address, and the title or position of the caller;
d. The person the officer should contact and where; and,
e. What action has been taken, or if the person in charge anticipates any action to be taken before officer contact.
2.
The operator will dispatch an officer and shift supervisor immediately.
3.
The Communications Operator is responsible for the following, as dictated by the situation:
a. Notify an investigator and other support personnel as directed by the shift supervisor and Communications
Division guidelines.
b. Notify Tequesta Fire Rescue and other public safety agencies, as requested;
c. Designate a tactical radio frequency and ensure that the Communications Division monitors all radio traffic.
d. Use the telephone to establish communications to the scene during periods of radio silence.
B. Patrol Division Responsibilities:
1.
Officers responding to the location will proceed safely and as rapidly as possible.
2.
Responding units will turn off all radio and digital equipment, including CB radios and cellular phones, within
300 feet of the scene. Communications from the scene will be accomplished by regular telephone, whenever
possible.
3.
The officer assigned to conduct the investigation will contact the owner or a representative of the affected location
and interview the person who received the threat. The officer or supervisor will discuss the details of the threat with
the owner/manager, and advise of potential hazards.
a. The decision whether to search, close businesses, and evacuate personnel will be left to business owners and
managers. The decision to evacuate schools, government offices, etc., will be made by the ranking administrator.
b. If there is an immediate and obvious threat to life or property, the officer may order an evacuation after
consultation with the supervisor or higher authority.
4.
If a search is conducted, the officer will secure the scene, establish a security perimeter, and assist with
coordinating the search effort. If the location or facility does not have a bomb threat/recognition plan in effect, the
officer or supervisor should offer suggestions to assist management in implementing search procedures:
a. When feasible contact should be made to the mutual aid agencies, such as Jupiter Police PBSO, etc., to
check for the availability of a “Bomb Sniffing Canine”.
b. Supervisory and custodial staff should be solicited to help conduct the search, as they are most familiar with the
location. The business staff should maintain a supervisory role, unless circumstances dictate more active
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G.O. 16.3A
participation.
c. A command post should be established in a secure area and equipped with a telephone. Search team members
must be informed of the location and phone number. The investigating officer should remain at the command
post.
d. Searchers should be deployed in pairs to cover the exterior and interior of the premises. Persons involved in the
search should be equipped with flashlights and hand held mirrors, if available. They should be instructed not to
disturb objects that are out of place or do not belong. If a suspicious object is found, they are to evacuate the area
and report the location to the officer or supervisor. If the search requires equipment of a specialized nature, such
as ladders, lifts, boom trucks, etc. contact will be made with the appropriate Village department or mutual aid
agency for assistance.
e. If the threat included the location of the device, that area should be checked first. If a location was not
indicated, the investigating officer should suggest the following order of search:
1) The building exterior.
2) Public access areas, i.e., lobby, restrooms, etc.
3) Stairwells.
4) Engineering spaces including janitors' closets and lockers.
5) Areas normally occupied by employees, which are the least likely to have been compromised should be the
last areas searched.
f. If the threat included a detonation time, all personnel (except the Bomb Disposal Team) should evacuate the
area at least 30 minutes before the reported time.
III. BOMB THREAT (DEVICE LOCATED):
If a bomb or suspect device is found, the following apply:
A. Communications Responsibilities:
1.
The Communications Division should attempt to obtain sufficient information to determine the incident risk
potential based on the following criteria:
a. No immediate hazard to persons or property (e.g., suspect item located on vacant property at a safe distance
from persons, animals, or structures).
b. No immediate hazard to persons; however, a potential hazard exists to structures or other personal property
(e.g., suspect item located in or near a structure or vehicle with persons a safe distance away).
c. Potential hazard to human life (e.g., suspect item located in populated area or in a building that cannot be
evacuated).
2.
The operator should dispatch an officer immediately, and inform the officer’s supervisor of the call.
3.
When the officer confirms that a device has been found, the Communications Division supervisor will:
a. Notify Tequesta Fire Rescue.
b. Request the assistance of a bomb disposal team from one of the following agencies:
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G.O. 16.3A
1) Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office;
2) West Palm Beach Police Department;
3) Patrick Air Force Base, if a military explosive device is involved.
4.
Notify the Chief of Police.
B. Patrol Division Responsibilities:
1.
The first officer on the scene will:
a. Interview person(s) with first-hand knowledge of the explosive device.
b. Evaluate the incident risk potential and request additional personnel as needed.
(The “safe” area should be checked
c. Evacuate all personnel to a “safe” area at least 300 feet from the location.
for secondary devices.)
If equipment in use would cause a life-threatening situation if it were turned off, or if the
operator is removed from the location, the operator can volunteer to remain. Safety precautions will be taken to
protect the operator’s life.
d. Cordon off the danger area by barrier tape or other means and establish a command post.
2.
The supervisor will:
a. Assume command of the incident until relieved by higher authority.
b. Keep the Communications Division informed.
c. Request support personnel and equipment as needed.
C.
All personnel, except bomb team members, will avoid physical contact with, close examination of, or any
No one other than Bomb Disposal Team members, and those persons authorized to
movement of suspect devices.
assist, will be allowed in the danger area.
IV. DISPOSAL PROCEDURES:
A.
The incident supervisor will brief the bomb disposal team and allow the team leader to direct on-site tactical
deployment activities. The disposal team will evaluate the suspect item and, if possible, render it safe.
B.
The disposal team leader will direct all disposal activities. If the disposal is by detonation, the disposal team will
conduct a post blast investigation or evaluation of the suspect item.
V. EXPLOSION PROCEDURES:
When a device has exploded, the following will apply:
A.
An officer and supervisor will be dispatched to the scene immediately and the response will be appropriate
according to reports of damage and injury.
B.
Tequesta Fire Rescue will be notified.
C.
Personnel assigned to the incident must exercise extreme caution in and around the blast site. The area will be
secured and access limited to necessary rescue personnel pending the arrival of the bomb disposal team.
D.
The incident commander will assign investigative and support personnel to assist the bomb disposal team with a
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G.O. 16.3A
post blast investigation.
E.
The incident commander will keep his or her chain of command informed.
F.
A report will be completed on all BOMB THREAT CALLS. This report will be forwarded to the Support Bureau
Commander.
It will be the responsibility of the Support Bureau Commander to forward all information to the FBI at
MIAMIBOMBTHREATS@IC.FBI.GOV
VI. GLOSSARY:
BOMB DISPOSAL TEAM - Personnel designated to assist in an explosive device situation and/or those persons from
another law enforcement agency who have been specially trained to handle and dispose of explosives and suspect items.
BOMB TRANSPORT VEHICLE - A vehicle specially designed for the transport of explosive material.
DETONATION - The instantaneous combustion of a fuel and oxidizer creating extreme high heat, loud noise, and
possible fragmentation.
DISPOSAL - The safe decomposition of explosives and/or incendiary materials, chemicals, chemical fillers and initiating
or detonating devices through chemical means or through a controlled detonation at a designated area.
ESCORT VEHICLES - Vehicles required for an escort of a bomb transport vehicle in which a bomb or suspect item is
transported.
EXPLOSION - The rapid combustion of a fuel and oxidizer creating heat, loud noise, and possible fragmentation.
EXPLOSIVE DEVICE - Any item suspected of, or containing an explosive or incendiary filler that could be a solid,
liquid or gaseous in nature. This will include, but is not limited to, all homemade bombs, military or civilian ordnance,
pyrotechnics and dangerous chemicals.
EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL - Explosives, blasting agents, detonators, and dangerous chemicals.
EXPLOSIVES - Any chemical compounds, mixture or device, the primary purpose of which is to function by
"explosion." The term "explosives," includes, but is not limited to: dynamite, nitroglycerin, trinitrotoluene (TNT), other
high explosives (i.e., plastics), black powder, pellet powder, initiating explosives (i.e., RDX and PETN), detonators,
safety fuse, squibs, detonating cord, igniter cord and igniters. This does not include cartridges for firearms or fireworks
as defined in Chapter 791, F.S.
SUSPECT ITEM - Material suspected of having explosive or incendiary potential that includes, but is not limited to,
homemade bombs, military ordnance, and explosive or incendiary chemical compounds.
INDEXING:
BOMB THREAT
EXPLOSIVE DEVICES
IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES
INCENDIARY DEVICES
DRAFTED:
JPF/July 20, 2005 /Filed: Bomb16.3A
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G.O. 16.3A
APPROVED:
Pete Pitocchelli, Chief DATE: November 05, 2011
Tequesta, Florida
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G.O. 16.3A
ANNEX A
BOMB EMERGENCY CHECKLIST
Immediate Consideration
Time Call Received
Time of Actual or Expected Detonation
Exact Words of Threat
Caller to Be Kept On Line to Determine Other Facts
Location of Bomb or Detonation
Immediate Evacuation
Notifications
Shift Supervisor, Operations Commander, Support Services
Commander, Chief, as appropriate
Owner or Manager of Property
Applicable Public Utilities
Tequesta Fire Rescue
State Fire Marshall's Office
Nearest Law Enforcement or Military Bomb Disposal Team
Investigator
Other State/Federal Law Enforcement Agencies as needed
(BATF, FDLE, etc.)
Village of Tequesta and Palm Beach County Director of
Disaster Preparedness
Tactical Considerations (particularly for explosive device detonation)
Establish Command Center
Establish Safe Perimeter and Maintain Crime Scene Security
Establish Traffic Control
Request for Fire and Medical Assistance
Have Gas and Electric Turned Off
Notify Local Hospitals If Injuries Have Occurred
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