General Information
The most common threats are made by direct telephone calls to the police department. However, some threatening calls are made to third parties such as television studios and newspaper offices. There are two reasons for a caller to report that a bomb is to go off at a particular location:
- The caller knows that an explosive or incendiary device has been or will be placed in the building and wants to minimize personal injury. The caller may be the person who planted the device or just someone who is aware of such information.
- The caller wants to create an atmosphere that spreads panic and disrupts normal business activity. This could be the ultimate goal of the caller.
Examples of Suspicious Items
- Letters that are unusually bulky or heavy
- Parcels or envelopes with chemical or oily stains, or simply do not look or feel ordinary.
- Parcels or envelopes without a return address or with foreign postmark.
DO NOT
- Handle the item or attempt to open.
- Place parcel in water.
- Remove any binding material or pull/cut any protruding material.
Basic Tenant Responsibilities
Each tenant should brief their telephone receptionists on bomb threat procedures and should have a copy of the Bomb Threat Checklist near the receptionists’ telephones.
Bomb Threat Received by a Tenant
- Bomb Threat Checklist Form: This form is located on the Forms Section of Benson Tower’s website (www.BensonTowerNOLA.com). When a call is received, a bomb threat form should be readily available. It is recommended that the form be copied onto red paper so that the persons adjacent to the individual taking the call will recognize the form and alert the proper party immediately. It also allows the form to be found quickly. If a form is not available, that person should jot down all of the conversation that is remembered. Try to obtain as much information as possible. Be prepared to relate this information to the police when they arrive. Written bomb threats are less frequent than telephone threats but must be considered carefully. Avoid physical handling of the written threat as authorities will analyze this evidence for fingerprints, postmarks, handwriting, and typewriting.
- Notification: If possible, have a second employee call 911 and then the Building Management Office while the bomb threat caller is on the phone. If not, after the call immediately dial 911 then call the Management Office at (504) 493-6760, advising as follows:
- Your name
- The telephone you are calling from
- The address, floor, and suite number you are calling from
- The firm you are employed with
- Evacuation: The actual order to evacuate your space must be given by your Safety Warden. Be alert for any unfamiliar people and/or objects to point out to the police or Building Management upon their arrival. DO NOT touch or handle any suspected object.
The Safety Wardens, Deputy Wardens, and Evacuation Facilitators are responsible for making a complete search of tenant space to identify any suspicious items or packages which do not belong in the area.
The Building Management Team will search all common areas, i.e. restrooms, common corridors, elevator lobbies, hallways, and stairwells. If a suspicious item is identified, the police will investigate the object.
Bomb Threat Received by Building Management
In the event that the Building Management Office receives a bomb threat, the following guidelines will be observed:
- The Police Department will be notified immediately.
- The Building Management Office will notify the Safety Warden in the affected area of the situation. The Safety Warden will give the order to evacuate if necessary.
- Tenants should search their offices and report any unfamiliar people or objects to 911 and then notify the building office. DO NOT touch or handle any suspected objects.
- The Safety Warden should cooperate with the police to identify any suspicious items or packages, which do not belong in the space.
- If the bomb threat is received against the building, and not a specific floor, all public areas will be searched by the Management Team.
Tenant Evacuation
Building Management will notify tenants if police recommend an evacuation. If a floor is indicated in the threat, the tenants on the 2 floors above and 2 floors below will be notified to evacuate. If no floor is indicated and evacuation is recommended, a general building alarm will be sounded. If your Safety Warden gives the order to evacuate, all of the following steps should be followed:
- The Safety Warden will make sure all employees are notified.
- Everyone should proceed quickly, but calmly, to the nearest stairway exit. DO NOT RUN!
- The Safety Warden or Deputy Warden should walk the suite as a double check to assist employees and make sure everyone is aware of the evacuation order.
- Once the evacuation has begun, no one should attempt to re-enter the evacuated area until it has been declared safe by the police department.
- Upon arrival at your relocation meeting area, everyone should remain there. No one should wander about or leave unless directed to do so by the police or Building Management Office.
- The Evacuation Facilitators or Deputy Safety Wardens should proceed to take a head count to determine if anyone is missing from their office. If someone is missing, this information should be relayed to the Building Management Team.