Knowing how to respond to a bomb threat is not just a matter of protocol, but a necessity for protecting human lives and business continuity. In 2023, there were 3,164 bomb threats made across the United States. A bomb threat to your workplace can occur at any time, often with little to no warning, and how you respond in those first few moments can have significant consequences.

This guide outlines practical and critical steps to effectively navigate such high-stress situations, ensuring preparedness and a structured response.

1. Try to Stay Calm: While challenging, it's essential to remember that your composure is key in preserving order and ensuring clear-headed decision-making. While it's natural to feel overwhelmed, it's important to keep in mind that panic can often exacerbate the situation, potentially causing more harm than the threat itself. Concentrate on prioritizing and executing only the most crucial actions; there will be time later to process your emotions and thoughts. By focusing on immediate, necessary steps, you contribute to a controlled and effective response.

2. Do Not Hang Up: Should you receive a bomb threat via phone, it's imperative to engage the caller with the intent to prolong the conversation. Allow them to guide the dialogue while you carefully interject with thoughtful questions. Show empathy to build rapport and potentially glean more insight into the threat. After the call concludes, gently set the handset aside without disconnecting the line, as law enforcement may need to trace the call or gather additional intelligence.

3. Engaging Effectively During a Bomb Threat: When faced with a bomb threat, it's crucial to engage with the person making the threat in a manner that prioritizes de-escalation and information gathering. This means remaining calm, speaking in a non-confrontational tone, and showing empathy where possible. Remember, the way you interact could not only defuse the immediate threat but also provide critical details that aid in preventing harm.

4. Take Detailed Note: Carefully document every detail during the call, capturing nuances like the caller's tone, any discernible background sounds, and the precise language used in the threat. If feasible, subtly signal a coworker to discreetly dial 911, ensuring law enforcement is alerted while you maintain engagement with the caller. For thoroughness, utilize the Bomb Threat Checklist provided by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) as a structured guide to systematically record vital information.

5. Alert Authorities: Promptly, or upon receiving a bomb threat through alternative means such as a letter or email, contact 911 or your designated local emergency hotline to report the situation. Upon making the call, attentively follow any directives provided by the emergency dispatcher, as their guidance is pivotal for ensuring an appropriate and effective response to the threat.

6. Evacuate or Shelter-in-Place: Based on the assessed severity of the threat and guidance from responding authorities, you'll need to make a critical decision: whether to evacuate the building or to implement shelter-in-place protocols. Should the threat be external, remaining indoors, preferably in an interior hallway or a similarly secured area, may be the safer course of action. Regardless of the chosen response, it's vital to be prepared to act swiftly and decisively in accordance with the situation at hand.

7. Do Not Touch: In the event the person making the threat discloses the location of the device, or if you encounter an object that appears suspicious, it is critical to avoid any contact or movement of the item. Establish a safe perimeter around it, ensuring that others are directed out of the vicinity, and refrain from approaching the object yourself. While curiosity or a sense of urgency might compel you to inspect it, resist this impulse. The triggers of such devices can be unpredictable, and the potential for harm is significant. Your priority should be to preserve safety by leaving it undisturbed and awaiting professional assessment.

8. Follow Your Emergency Action Plan: Activate your organization's established bomb threat response plan, ensuring it encompasses clearly identified safe zones, specific evacuation routes, and effective communication strategies. In the absence of such a plan, it's imperative to prioritize the development of one.

9. Inform Others: Promptly inform the building management and your internal security team, if available. To discreetly convey the situation without inciting alarm among the public, employ a predetermined signal or code word, particularly when communicating in open, communal areas. Additionally, it's important to keep remote employees updated on the situation, ensuring that all members of your team, regardless of their location, are equally informed and aware of any necessary precautions or actions.

10. Evacuate Safely: In the event that evacuation is deemed necessary or advised, it is important to proceed with urgency and organization. Utilize the pre-established evacuation pathways, specifically designed to steer clear of the potential bomb area. Throughout this process, remain acutely aware of your surroundings, cautiously observing for any anomalies or discrepancies. It's important to note that occasionally, threats are issued as a tactic to assess the response efficiency and strategies of individuals and emergency teams.

11. Avoid Using Two-Way Radios and Cell Phones: The use of radio and cell phone signals in the vicinity of a suspected bomb location should be avoided, as they have the potential to interfere with and possibly trigger a detonation device. Instead, turn off these devices to mitigate this risk. Go for direct, face-to-face communication or utilize pen and paper as alternative means of communication, ensuring safety while maintaining essential contact.

12. Account for Personnel: Regardless of whether an evacuation occurs, it's crucial to account for all personnel as soon as it is safely possible. In the event of an evacuation, refrain from re-entering the building until it has been officially declared safe by the authorities. Proceed directly to your designated emergency assembly point to ensure everyone's presence is verified and to maintain organization during the situation.

13. Assist Authorities: It's imperative to fully cooperate with law enforcement and emergency responders. Share all pertinent information related to the threat, including detailed notes and any recordings of phone conversations, if available. Remember, even seemingly minor details can be crucial in an investigation. Avoid making assumptions about the importance of certain pieces of information; instead, provide everything you can to aid in their response and investigative efforts.

14. Post-Incident Review: Once the incident has been resolved, it is essential for you and your team to conduct a comprehensive debriefing session with all involved parties. The primary objective of this debriefing is to critically assess your response to the incident, acknowledging the effective aspects and identifying areas for improvement. Aim to conduct this session within 24 to 72 hours post-incident, while the details are still vivid in participants' memories, to ensure a thorough and accurate evaluation.

15. Offer and Seek Support: It's important not to overlook the emotional and psychological impact of the incident on those involved. Proactively offer access to crisis counseling facilitated by certified professionals to anyone who may need it. Acknowledge that such experiences can have varying effects on individuals, and ensure that appropriate support is readily available for their well-being.

In the event of a bomb threat, the effectiveness of your response hinges on rapid and decisive action. Your ability to promptly assess the situation and respond appropriately is crucial in minimizing the potential for injury or loss of life. Tailor your actions to suit the specific circumstances of the threat, ensuring that safety is the primary consideration in every decision made.