Policy Text
Court and Security Service s – Airport Division Page 1 of 3 207/03 (REV 09/07)
Bomb Threat Procedures
The purpose of this Order is to establish procedures regarding bomb threats and found
explosive devises or suspicious containers. I. Bomb Threats
A. If any officer receives a bom b threat, the officer should br iefly interview the
caller in an attempt to obtain specific information and determi ne the
validity of the threat. The offi cer should try to keep the cal ler on the
phone. The officer shall immediat ely notify his supervisor and the Airport
Operations Center. Upon the dire ction of his supervisor, the o fficer shall
follow the FAA Bomb Threat Checklist.
B. If any other person receives a bomb threat, the officer shal l interview the
caller using the FAA Bomb Threat Checklist.
C. Before taking action the offi cer shall contact his/her super visor who will
contact the appropriate decision authority.
D. The decision authority for th reats against aircraft is the i nvolved airline.
The decision authority for thr eats against airport property is the
Department of Airports.
E. Officers will begin an evacuat ion of the threatened facility , upon approval
from the Incident Commander, if i t is determined to be a credib le threat.
The airport communications cent er will be notified to contact F BI, and if
necessary, additional office rs to secure the scene.
II. Unattended Containers
Note: In order to determine a package or bag may be suspicious or r equiring
additional examination use the acronym “ HOT ”. “H” is for hidden , the bag
or package is placed in such a way as to be hidden from view. “O” is for
obviously suspicious, such as exposed wires, ticking sounds coming from
inside or strong chemical orders. “ T” is for a bag or package that is
located in an ar ea that is not typically found (such as a briefcase located
in the middle of the open bed of a pickup truck and was not pla ced there
by the owner of the truck).
Court and Security Service s – Airport Division Page 2 of 3 207/03 (REV 09/07)
A. Unattended containers (baggage, e tc.) may or may not be cons idered
suspicious containers, depending upon the circumstances. Unatt ended
baggage that has recently been br ought in from an aircraft is c onsidered
less dangerous than baggage that has been brought in from the s treet.
B. Officers called to the scene wi ll attempt to locate a nameta g and page the
owner of the bag to immediately re turn. Bag(s) without a name tag will be
treated with heighten ed concern. A page will be initiated.
C. If an owner does not claim a bag, the officer must determine if this is to be
treated as a suspicious container.
1. Officer shall request an Air port K9 Bomb Dog to search the item.
2. Attempt to locate any witne ss who can describe the bag’s ow ner
and when it was placed there.
3. Was it placed in an area o f concealment or left in the open ?
4. Did it arrive on an airplane?
5. Does it appear normal or altered in any way?
D. If the officer can satisfy the criteria of normal appearance : has a name
tag; has arrived on an air carrier ; is located in a place that baggage would
be expected, the officer may, as a final check have the bag(s) brought to a
checkpoint to be x-rayed.
1. When in doubt, contact a supervi sor who will contact E.O.D. for
instructions.
2. Any bag or container that does not satisfy the criteria and remains
unclaimed will be treat ed as suspicious.
III. Found Explosive Device s or Suspicious Containers
A. If an explosive device or any suspicious container is found, the following
actions shall be taken:
1. Keep any suspects separated from the container in which the
suspected device is located.
2. The officer shall then cont act his supervisor by landline ph one and
advise him or her of the situat ion. (Do not use radios within 300
feet of the container.)
Court and Security Service s – Airport Division Page 3 of 3 207/03 (REV 09/07) 3. Airport communications will be advised and E.O.D. will be
requested. Provide a call back nu mber for E.O.D. to contact you at
the scene.
4. DO NOT MOVE THE CONTAINER!
5. Follow all instructions issued by E.O.D.
6. The area shall be evacuated upon order of E.O.D. or a supe rvisor.
7. Maintain a firm, calm, and polite demeanor in order to preve nt
inciting public panic.
Appendices: None
Related Orders: None
References: None