Bomb & Physical
Security Planning & Training
Bombing and the threat of being bombed
are harsh realities in today's world. The public is becoming more aware of those
incidents of violence that are perpetrated by vicious, nefarious segments of our
society through the illegal use of explosives. Law enforcement agencies are
charged with providing protection for life and property, but law enforcement
alone cannot be held responsible. Every citizen must do his or her part to
ensure a safe environment.
This pamphlet is designed to help both
the public and private sectors prepare for the potential threat of
explosives-related violence. While the ideas set forth herein are applicable in
most cases, they are intended only as a guide.
If there is one point that cannot be
overemphasized, it is the value of being prepared. Do not allow a bomb incident
to catch you by surprise. By developing a bomb incident plan and considering
possible bomb incidents in your physical security plan, you can reduce the
potential for personal injury and property damage.
In making this pamphlet available to
you, we hope to help you better prepare to deal with bomb threats and the
illegal use of explosives.
Bombs
Bombs can be constructed to look like
almost anything and can be placed or delivered in any number of ways. The
probability of finding a bomb that looks like the stereotypical bomb is almost
nonexistent. The only common denominator that exists among bombs is that they
are designed or intended to explode.
Most bombs are homemade and are limited
in their design only by the imagination of, and resources available to, the
bomber. Remember, when searching for a bomb, suspect anything that looks
unusual. Let the trained bomb technician determine what is or is not a bomb.
Bomb Threats
Bomb threats are delivered in a variety
of ways. The majority of threats are called in to the target. Occasionally these
calls are through a third party. Sometimes a threat is communicated in writing
or by a recording.
Two logical explanations for reporting
a bomb threat are:
Whatever the reason for the report,
there will certainly be a reaction to it. Through proper planning, the wide
variety of potentially uncontrollable reactions can be greatly reduced.
Why Prepare?
If you accept the two aforementioned
explanations for reporting that a bomb is about to go off, you can better
prepare to foil the bomber or threat maker.
Through proper preparation, you can
reduce the accessibility of your business or building and identify those areas
that can be "hardened" against the potential bomber. This will limit the amount
of time lost to searching, if you determine a search is necessary. If a bomb
incident occurs, proper planning will instill confidence in the leadership,
reinforce the notion that those in charge do care; and reduce the potential for
personal injury and property loss.
Proper planning can also reduce the
threat of panic, the most contagious of all human emotions. Panic is sudden,
excessive, unreasoning, infectious terror. Once a state of panic has been
reached, the potential for injury and property damage is greatly increased. In
the context of a bomb threat, panic is the ultimate achievement of the caller.
Be prepared! There is no excuse for not
taking every step necessary to meet the threat.
How to Prepare
In preparing to cope with a bomb
incident, it is necessary to develop two separate but interdependent plans,
namely a physical security plan and a bomb incident plan.
Physical security provides for the
protection of property, personnel, facilities, and material against unauthorized
entry, trespass, damage, sabotage, or other illegal or criminal acts. The
physical security plan deals with prevention and control of access to the
building. In most instances, some form of physical security may be already in
existence, although not necessarily intended to prevent a bomb attack.
The bomb incident plan provides
detailed procedures to be implemented when a bombing attack is executed or
threatened. In planning for the bomb incident, a definite chain of command or
line of authority must be established Only by using an established organization
and procedures can the bomb incident be handled with the least risk to all
concerned. A clearly defined line of authority will instill confidence and avoid
panic.
Establishing a chain of command is easy
if there is a simple office structure, one business, one building. However, if a
complex situation exists, a multi-occupant building for example, a
representative from each occupant entity should attend the planning conference.
A leader should be appointed and a clear line of succession delineated. This
chain of command should be printed and circulated to all concerned parties.
In planning, you should designate a
command center to be located in the switchboard room or other focal point of
telephone or radio communications. The management personnel assigned to operate
the center should have the authority to decide whatever action should be taken
during the threat. Only those with assigned duties should be permitted in the
center. Make some provision for alternates in the event someone is absent when a
threat is received. Obtain an updated blueprint or floor plan of your building
and maintain it in the command center.
Contact the police department, fire
department, or local government agencies to determine if any assistance is
available to you for developing your physical security plan or bomb incident
plan. If possible, have police and/or fire department representatives and
members of your staff inspect the building for areas where explosives are likely
to be concealed. (Make a checklist of these areas for inclusion in command
center materials.) Determine whether there is a bomb disposal unit available,
how to contact the unit, and under what conditions it is activated. In
developing your bomb incident plan, you must also ascertain whether the bomb
disposal unit, in addition to disarming and removing the explosives, will assist
in searching the building in the event of a threat.
Training is essential to deal properly
with a bomb threat incident. Instruct all personnel, especially those at the
telephone switchboard, in what to do if a bomb threat is received. Be absolutely
certain that all personnel assigned to the command center are aware of their
duties. The positive aspects of planning will be lost if the leadership is not
apparent. It is also very important to organize and train an evacuation unit
which will be responsive to the command center and has a clear understanding of
the importance of its role.
We have suggested that the command
center be located near the switchboard or focal point of communications. It is
critical that lines of communication be established between the command center
and the search or evacuation teams- The center must have the flexibility to keep
up with the search team progress. In a large facility, if the teams go beyond
the communications network, the command center must have the mobility to
maintain contact and track search or evacuation efforts.
Security Against Bomb Incidents
We mentioned earlier that, in dealing
with bomb incidents or potential bomb incidents, two interrelated plans must be
developed, the bomb incident plan and the physical security plan. Heretofore, we
have primarily addressed the bomb incident plan. Now, before continuing with
that plan, we will discuss security measures as they apply to "hardening"
against the bomb attack.
Most commercial structures and
individual residences already have some security in place, planned or unplanned,
realized or not. Locks on windows and doors, outside lights, etc., are all
designed and installed to contribute toward the security of a facility and the
protection of its occupants.
In considering measures to increase
security for your building or office, it
is highly recommended that you contact
your local police department for guidance regarding a specific plan for your
facility. There is no single security plan that is adaptable to all situations.
The following recommendations are offered because they may contribute to
reducing your vulnerability to bomb attacks.
The exterior configuration of a
building or facility is very important. Unfortunately, in most instances, the
architect has given little or no consideration to security, particularly toward
thwarting or discouraging a bomb attack. However, by the addition of fencing and
lighting, and by controlling access, the vulnerability of a facility to a bomb
attack can be reduced significantly.
Bombs being delivered by car or left in
a car are a grave reality. Parking should be restricted, if possible, to 300
feet from your building or any building in a complex. If restricted parking is
not feasible, properly identified employee vehicles should be parked closest to
your facility and visitor vehicles parked at a distance.
Heavy shrubs and vines should be kept
close to the ground to reduce their potential to conceal criminals or bombs.
Window boxes and planters are perfect receptacles for the bomber. Unless there
is an absolute requirement for such ornamentation, window boxes and planters are
better removed. If they must remain, a security patrol should be employed to
check them regularly.
A highly visible security patrol can be
a significant deterrent. Even if this ''patrol'' is only one security
guard/night guard, he/she is optimally utilized outside the building. If an
interior guard is utilized, consider the installation of closed-circuit
television cameras that cover exterior building perimeters.
Have an adequate burglar alarm system
installed by a reputable company that can service and properly maintain the
equipment. Post signs indicating that such a system is in place.
Entrance/exit doors with hinges and
hinge pins on the inside to prevent removal should be installed. Solid wood or
sheet metal faced doors provide extra integrity that a hollow-core wooden door
cannot provide. A steel door frame that properly fits the door is as important
as the construction of the door.
The ideal security situation is a
building with no windows. However, bars, grates, heavy mesh screens, or steel
shutters over windows offer good protection from otherwise unwanted entry. It is
important that the openings in the protective coverings are not too large.
Otherwise, a bomb may be introduced into the building while the bomber remains
outside. Floor vents, transoms, and skylights should also be covered. Please
note that fire safety considerations preclude the use of certain window
coverings. Municipal ordinances should be researched and safety considered
before any of these renovations are undertaken.
Controls should be established for
positively identifying personnel who are authorized access to critical areas and
for denying access to unauthorized personnel. These controls should extend to
the inspection of all packages and materials being taken into critical areas.
Security and maintenance personnel
should be alert for people who act in a suspicious manner, as well as objects,
items, or parcels which look out of place or suspicious. Surveillance should be
established to include potential hiding places (e.g., stairwells, rest rooms,
and any vacant office space) for unwanted individuals.
Doors or access ways to such areas as
boiler rooms, mail rooms, computer areas, switchboards, and elevator control
rooms should remain locked when not in use. It is important to establish a
procedure for the accountability of keys. If keys cannot be accounted for, locks
should be changed.
Good housekeeping is also vital. Trash
or dumpsite areas should remain free of debris. A bomb or device can easily be
concealed in the trash. Combustible materials should be properly disposed of, or
protected if further use is anticipated.
Install detection devices at all
entrances and closed-circuit television in those areas previously identified as
likely places where a bomb may be placed. This, coupled with the posting of
signs indicating such measures are in place, is a good deterrent.
We in ATF recognize the necessity for
businesses to maintain good public relations. Corporate responsibility, however,
also encompasses the safety and protection of the public. The threatened use of
explosives necessitates that in the interest of safety and security, some
inconvenience may have to be imposed on visitors to public buildings. The public
is becoming more accustomed to routine security checks and will readily accept
these minor inconveniences.
Perhaps entrances and exits can be
modified with a minimal expenditure to channel all visitors through someone at a
reception desk. Individuals entering the building would be required to sign a
register indicating the name and room number of the person whom they wish to
visit. Employees at these reception desks could contact the person to be visited
and advise him/her that a visitor, by name, is in the lobby. The person to be
visited may decide to come to the lobby to ascertain that the purpose of the
visit is valid. A system for signing out when the individual departs could be
integrated into this procedure.
Such a procedure may result in
complaints from the public. If the reception desk clerk explains to the visitor
that these procedures were implemented in his/her best interest and safety, the
complaints would be reduced. The placement of a sign at the reception desk
informing visitors of the need for safety is another option.
Responding to Bomb Threats
Instruct all personnel, especially
those at the telephone switchboard, in what to do if a bomb threat call is
received.
It is always desirable that more than
one person listen in on the call. To do this, a covert signaling system should
be implemented, perhaps by using a coded buzzer signal to a second reception
point.
A calm response to the bomb threat
caller could result in obtaining additional information. This is especially true
if the caller wishes to avoid injuries or deaths. If told that the building is
occupied or cannot be evacuated in time, the bomber may be willing to give more
specific information on the bomb's location, components, or method of
initiation.
The bomb threat caller is the best
source of information about the bomb. When a bomb threat is called in:
- Pay particular attention to background noises, such as motors running,
music playing, and any other noise which may give a clue as to the location of
the caller.
- Listen closely to the voice (male, female), voice quality (calm,
excited), accents, and speech impediments. Immediately after the caller hangs
up, report the threat to the person designated by management to receive such
information.
- Report the information immediately to the police department, fire
department, ATF, FBI, and other appropriate agencies. The sequence of
notification should be established in the bomb incident plan.
When a written threat is received, save
all materials, including any envelope or container. Once the message is
recognized as a bomb threat, further unnecessary handling should be avoided.
Every possible effort must be made to retain evidence such as fingerprints,
handwriting or typewriting, paper, and postal marks. These will prove essential
in tracing the threat and identifying the writer.
While written messages are usually
associated with generalized threats and extortion attempts, a written warning of
a specific device may occasionally be received. It should never be ignored.
Decision Time
The most serious of all decisions to be
made by management in the event of a bomb threat is whether to evacuate the
building. In many cases, this decision may have already been made during the
development of the bomb incident plan. Management may pronounce a carte blanche
policy that, in the event of a bomb threat, total evacuation will be effective
immediately. This decision circumvents the calculated risk and demonstrates a
deep concern for the safety of personnel in the building. However, such a
decision can result in costly loss of time.
Essentially, there are three
alternatives when faced with a bomb threat:
Ignoring the threat completely can
result in some problems. While a statistical argument can be made that very few
bomb threats are real, it cannot be overlooked that bombs have been located in
connection with threats. If employees learn that bomb threats have been received
and ignored, it could result in morale problems and have a long-term adverse
effect on your business. Also, there is the possibility that if the bomb threat
caller feels that he/she is being ignored, he/she may go beyond the threat and
actually plant a bomb.
Evacuating immediately on every bomb
threat is an alternative that on face value appears to be the preferred
approach. However, the negative factors inherent in this approach must be
considered. The obvious result of immediate evacuation is the disruptive effect
on your business. If the bomb threat caller knows that your policy is to
evacuate each time a call is made, he/she can continually call and force your
business to a standstill. An employee, knowing that the policy is to evacuate
immediately, may make a threat in order to get out of work. A student may use a
bomb threat to avoid a class or miss a test. Also, a bomber wishing to cause
personal injuries could place a bomb near an exit normally used to evacuate and
then call in the threat.
Initiating a search after a threat is
received and evacuating a building after a suspicious package or device is found
is the third, and perhaps most desired, approach. It is certainly not as
disruptive as an immediate evacuation and will satisfy the requirement to do
something when a threat is received. If a device is found, the evacuation can be
accomplished expeditiously while at if the same time avoiding the potential
danger areas of the bomb.
Evacuation
An evacuation unit consisting of
management personnel should be organized and trained. The organization and
training of this unit should be coordinated with the development of the bomb
incident plan, as well as with all tenants of a building.
The evacuation unit should be trained
in how to evacuate the building during a bomb threat. You should consider
priority of evacuation, e.g., evacuation by floor level. Evacuate the floor
levels above and below the danger area in order to remove those persons from
danger as quickly as possible. Training in this type of evacuation is usually
available from police, fire or other units within the community
You may also train the evacuation unit
in search techniques, or you may prefer a separate search unit. Volunteer
personnel should be solicited for this function. Assignment of search wardens,
team leaders etc., can be employed. To be proficient in searching the
building, search personnel must be thoroughly familiar with all hallways, rest
rooms, false ceiling areas, and every location in the building where an
explosive or incendiary device may be concealed. When police officers or
firefighters arrive at the building, the contents and the floor plan will be
unfamiliar to them if they have not previously reconnoitered the facility. Thus,
it is extremely important that the evacuation or search unit be thoroughly
trained and familiar with the floor plan of the building and immediate outside
areas. When a room or particular area is searched, it should be marked or sealed
with a piece of tape and reported to the supervisor of that area.
The evacuation or search unit should be
trained only in evacuation and search techniques and not in the techniques of
neutralizing, removing or otherwise having contact with the device. If a device
is located, it should not be disturbed. However, its location should be well
marked and a route back to the device noted.
Search Teams
It is advisable to use more than one
individual to search any area or room, no matter how small. Searches can be
conducted by supervisory personnel, area occupants or trained explosive search
teams. There are advantages and disadvantages to each method of staffing the
search teams.
Using supervisory personnel to search
is a rapid approach and causes little disturbance. There will be little loss of
employee working time, but a morale problem may develop if it is discovered that
a bomb threat has been received and workers were left unaware. Using a
supervisor to search will usually not be as thorough because of his/her
unfamiliarity with many areas and his/her desire to get on with business.
Using area occupants to search their
own areas is the best method for a rapid search. The occupants' concern for
their own safety will contribute toward a more thorough search. Furthermore, the
personnel conducting the search are familiar with what does or does not belong
in a particular area. Using occupants to search will result in a shorter loss of
work time than if all were evacuated prior to search by trained teams. Using the
occupants to search can have a positive effect on morale, given a good training
program to develop confidence. Of course, this would require the training of an
entire work force, and ideally the performance of several practical training
exercises. One drawback of this search method is the increased danger to
unevacuated workers.
The search conducted by a trained team
is the best for safety, morale and thoroughness, though it does take the most
time. Using a trained team will result in a significant loss of production time.
It is a slow operation that requires comprehensive training and practice.
The decision as to who should conduct
searches lies with management, and should be considered and incorporated into
the bomb incident plan.
Search Technique
The following room search technique is
based on the use of a two-person searching team. There are many minor variations
possible in searching a room. The following contains only the basic techniques.
When the two-person search team enters
the room to be searched, they should first move to various parts of the room and
stand quietly with their eyes closed and listen for a clockwork device.
Frequently, a clockwork mechanism can be quickly detected without use of special
equipment. Even if no clockwork mechanism is detected, the team is now aware of
the background noise level within the room itself.
Background noise or transferred sound
is always disturbing during a building search. If a ticking sound is heard but
cannot be located, one might become unnerved. The ticking sound may come from an
unbalanced air-conditioner fan several floors away or from a dripping sink down
the hall. Sound will transfer through air-conditioning ducts, along water pipes,
and through walls. One of the most difficult buildings to search is one that has
steam or hot water heat. This type of building will constantly thump, crack,
chatter, and tick due to the movement of the steam or hot water through the
pipes and the expansion and contraction of the pipes. Background noise may also
include outside traffic sounds, rain, and wind.
The individual in charge of the room
searching team should look around the room and determine how the room is to be
divided for searching and to what height the first searching sweep should
extend. The first searching sweep will cover all items resting on the floor up
to the selected height.
You should divide the room into two
virtually equal parts. This equal division should be based on the number and
type of objects in the room to be searched and not on the size of the room. An
imaginary line is then drawn between two objects in the room; e.g., the edge of
the window on the north wall to the floor lamp on the south wall.
First Room-Searching Sweep
Look at the furniture or objects in the
room and determine the average height of the majority of items resting on the
floor. In an average room, this height usually includes table or desk tops and
chair backs. The first searching height usually covers the items in the room up
to hip height.
After the room has been divided and a
searching height has been selected, both individuals go to one end of the room
division line and start from a back-to-back position. This is the starting point
and the same point will be used on each successive searching sweep- Each
person now starts searching his/her way around the room, working toward the
other person, checking all items resting on the floor around the wall area of
the room. When the two individuals meet, they will have completed a "wall
sweep." They should then work together and check all items in the middle of the
room up to the selected hip height, including the floor under the rugs. This
first searching sweep should also include those items which may be mounted on or
in the walls, such as air-conditioning ducts, baseboard heaters, and built-in
wall cupboards, if these fixtures are below hip height.
The first searching sweep usually
consumes the most time and effort. During all the searching sweeps, use the
electronic or medical stethoscope on walls, furniture items, and floors.
Second Room-Searching Sweep
The individual in charge again looks at
the furniture or objects in the room and determines the height of the second
searching sweep. This height is usually from the hip to the chin or top of the
head. The two persons return to the starting point and repeat the searching
technique at the second selected searching height. This sweep usually covers
pictures hanging on the walls, built-in bookcases, and tall table lamps.
Third Room-Searching Sweep
When the second searching sweep is
completed, the person in charge again determines the next searching height,
usually from the chin or the top of the head up to the ceiling. The third sweep
is then made. This sweep usually covers high mounted air-conditioning ducts and
hanging light fixtures.
Fourth Room-Searching Sweep
If the room has a false or suspended
ceiling. the fourth sweep involves investigation of this area. Check flush or
ceiling-mounted light fixtures, air-conditioning or ventilation duds, sound or
speaker systems, electrical wiring, and structural frame members.
Have a sign or marker indicating
"Search Completed" conspicuously posted in the area. Place a piece of colored
Scotch tape across the door and door jamb approximately 2 feet above floor level
if the use of signs is not practical.
The room searching technique can be
expanded. The same basic technique can be applied to search any enclosed area.
Encourage the use of common sense or logic in searching. If a guest speaker at a
convention has been threatened, common sense would indicate searching the
speakers platform and microphones first, but always return to the searching
technique. Do not rely on random or spot checking of only logical target areas.
The bomber may not be a logical person.
In conclusion, the following steps
should be taken in order to search a room:
Suspicious Object Located
It is imperative that personnel
involved in a search be instructed that their only mission is to search for and
report suspicious objects. Under no circumstances should anyone move, jar or
touch a suspicious object or anything attached to it. The removal or disarming
of a bomb must be left to the professionals in explosive ordnance disposal. When
a suspicious object is discovered, the following procedures are recommended.
1. Report the location and an accurate description of the object to the
appropriate warden. This information should be relayed immediately to the
command center, which will notify the police and fire departments, and rescue
squad. These officers should be met and escorted to the scene.
2. If absolutely necessary, place sandbags or mattresses, never metal
shields, around the suspicious object. Do not attempt to cover the object.
Handling of the News Media
It is of paramount importance that all
inquiries from the news media be directed to one individual appointed as
spokesperson. All other persons should be instructed not to discuss the
situation with outsiders, especially the news media.
The purpose of this provision is to
furnish the news media with accurate information and to see that additional bomb
threat calls are rot precipitated by irresponsible statements from uninformed
sources.
Summary
This pamphlet serves only as a guide
and is not intended to be anything more. The ultimate determination of how to
handle a bomb threat must be made by the individual responsible for the
threatened facility.
Develop a bomb incident plan. Draw upon
any expertise that is available to you from police departments, government
agencies, and security specialists. Don't leave anything to chance. Be prepared
Bomb Incident Plan
1 - Designate a chain of command.
Command Center
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