How to Identify and React to a potential BOMB in Library

It is a sad state of affairs in the modern world that we have to be vigilant for those that may wish to do indiscriminate harm to the general public in the Library, but we do, and you are the first line of defense in this respect.

In light of this, below are a few things you should be on the lookout for, and what you should do in the event of a questionable circumstance.  Please take a few moments to commit these basic ideas and responses to memory so you can be an asset in the event of crisis.

You should always lookout for suspicious objects abandoned in public areas. If no one claims the property, the authorities should be quickly made aware of the package.

Identifying a potential bomb, things to look out for!

* Use your senses!  Is the object vibrating, making a noise, smelling/smoking, stinky?

* Does it fit?  We get lots of packages coming through the portal of the Library, but something like the below, might be obviously out of place if not attended by a person...

* Is it gross looking?  Are there oil stains or translucency (like a bag of oily fries or donuts?); is it "lumpy" or overstuffed? tied with twine/rope or wildly duct taped?  Wires sticking out?

*  How long has it been there?  Ask your coworkers!!

*  If mail, does it have an unfamiliar or incomplete return address or excessive postage? Are there inaccuracies in the address or in titles of recipients?  Is it addressed strangely, "FOR [xyz person's] EYES ONLY!"?

Other examples of less concealed (but just as dangerous types of explosives (click on picture for larger detail) such as pipe bombs, sticks of dynamite, and various wiring devices for setting a bomb::








If you think a suspicious package might be a bomb:

Do NOT touch, move or look in the package

Gather as much information about the object as possible (return address?  when did it appear? oily? approximate size? any sound/smell emanating?) and BACK AWAY *

CALL 9-1-1, and standby to provide above information

Walkie Security and call Info Desk Supe.

Keep details of everything that transpires thereafter for Incident Report

File Incident Report when all clear has been given by UCPD.

*  If the threat is phoned in, do your best to keep person on the phone, ask DETAILS of threat, where is bomb threat?  When is it set to detonate? LISTEN for background noise clues, accents/language competency of caller, age, gender of caller?  Look to see if Caller ID caught the number!  Some of these topics may be seen (and should be reviewed at least once) in the "Bomb threat phone checklist" recently added to the Blog homepage sidebar "Forms and Documentations" section) When call is complete follow contact 9-1-1, Security, Info Desk Supe, and have details prepared, because all of us will ask you for them!