Questions to Ask When Coordinating the Bomb Threat Response Team

(Source: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 2003)

When should the police be called?
When will police respond?
Who will be sent?
What is the police department’s role at the scene?
What is the school's place in the incident command structure?
What information, materials and participation will the bomb squad require from school administrators?
Where does evacuation decision-making power lie, with police or with the principal?
Will police participate in searches and if so, when and how?
When will an explosives detection canine be involved?
Under what circumstances will police assume command of the scene?
When do police relinquish command of the scene?
Will police assist with evacuation and relocation of students and how?
When will police declare the "all clear"?
Who makes the decision to re-occupy the facility, police, the principal, or someone else?
Who conducts follow-up investigation of bomb threats and how is the investigation conducted?
What role will police have in the prevention of bomb threats?
How can police assist in "hardening the target"?

When should the fire department be called?
When will the fire department respond?
Who will be sent?
What is the fire department's role at the scene?
What information, materials and participation will the bomb squad require from school administrators?
Will the fire department participate in searches and if so, when and how?
Under what circumstances will the fire department assume command of the scene?
When will the fire department relinquish command of the scene?
Will the fire department assist with evacuation and relocation of students and how?
When will the fire department declare the "all clear"?
What role will the fire department have in the prevention of bomb threats?

Who makes the request for the bomb squad?
When will the bomb squad respond?
Who will be sent?
What is the role of the bomb squad at the scene?
What information, materials and participation will the bomb squad require from school administrators?
Will the bomb squad participate in searches and if so, when and how?
What general procedures does the bomb squad use when dealing with a suspicious item?
When will an explosives detection canine be involved?
Under what circumstances will the bomb squad assume command of the scene?
When will the bomb squad relinquish command of the scene?
What role will the bomb squad have in the prevention of bomb threats?

Under what circumstances should ATF be involved?
Who makes the request for ATF?
Who will be sent by ATF?
What is the role of ATF at the scene?
What information, materials and participation will ATF require from school administrators?
Will ATF participate in searches and if so, when and how?
Under what circumstances will ATF assume command of the scene?
How does ATF work with law enforcement and the fire department?
When will ATF relinquish command of the scene?
What role will ATF have in the prevention of bomb threats?