Man Made Disasters
What to Do During a Bomb Threat
Bomb threats usually occur by telephone. The caller has a message to deliver and has chosen the
telephone as the medium for this communication. Motives vary, as does the desired outcome. The most important thing to remember when a bomb threat is received is to take the caller seriously.
The Emergency Planning Team is trained to initially respond to bomb threat situations. In addition, they receive assistance from local fire and police authorities who are specially trained and equipped to conduct bomb searches and disposal as necessary. Local medical support is available to handle specific needs.
An employee receiving a telephone bomb threat should obtain as much information as possible (voice, accent, gender, mood, background noises, exact words used, who the caller represents and why the college is a target), then call Public Safety at (541) 463-5555. Give your name and location. Employees also should use the Bomb Threat checklist provided in the Employee Emergency Manual. Dissemination of any bomb threat information to students and employees will be at the direction of the Emergency Director.
The Emergency Director, upon notification of a bomb threat against any college resource, will assess the credibility of the threat and will convene the Emergency Planning Team (EPT).
The EPT will make decisions on:
1. Evacuation of affected facilities;
2. Closure of the affected campus;
3. Requests for outside assistance; and/or
4. Communications via the Public Information Officer.
Action Steps
1. Remain calm.
2. Try to obtain as much information as possible from the caller by using the Bomb Threat Checklist below.
3. While on the phone with the caller, have someone contact Public Safety immediately at (541) 463-5555 or (541) 463-5558. Give your name, location and telephone number.
4. Inform your supervisor or manager.
5. If told to evacuate by campus authorities, follow evacuation procedures.
6. If a suspicious object is seen, report it to a Public Safety officer. Do not touch or move it.
7. Do not spread rumors.
Bomb Threat Checklist
1. When will the bomb explode?
2. Where is the bomb now?
3. What does the bomb look like?
4. What kind of bomb is it?
5. What will cause it to explode?
6. Did you place the bomb?
7. Why?
8. What is your address?
9. What is your name?
10. Sex of caller: Male or Female
Age_____ Race______ Length of call_____
Tell the caller to contact 911 to report the bomb. This may allow a trace.
Communications
All communications that are related to an emergency must be issued by the Public Information Officer (PIO).
News media make announcements as soon as they receive information from the college PIO. No one except the PIO shall call the media to ensure quick and accurate reporting.
Emergencies which significantly disrupt classes and services will be announced to employees, students and the public using the LaneAlert messaging system. In addition to these general guidelines, each emergency heading has specific communications information.
Communications (Internal)
Emergency information will be announced by the Emergency Planning Team to employees, students and the public using the LaneAlert emergency notification system. LaneAlert allows messages to be sent simultaneously to all registered users via text messaging, phone call, and/or email. All persons should keep their information current in the LaneAlert data base by using the links in the "Home" tab on MyLane. Divisions and departments are responsible for notifying students in classrooms, laboratories, the library, or cafeteria. "All Clear" announcements will be made when the situation is stabilized.
Communications (External)
1. Refer all media questions regarding emergencies to Lane's public information officer at (541) 463-5591.
2. Announcements are made to the media by the public information officer.
Timely and Immediate Notification
Lane will immediately notify the campus community upon the confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or staff, occurring on campus. Examples include serious crimes, pending severe weather, possible presence of dangerous individuals or animals, etc.
Emergency information will be announced by the Emergency Planning Team, or other authorized individuals, to employees and students using the LaneAlert emergency notification system. LaneAlert allows messages to be sent simultaneously to all registered users via text messaging, phone call, and/or email. All persons should keep their information current in the LaneAlert data base by using the links in the "Home" tab on MyLane. Divisions and departments are responsible for notifying students in classrooms, laboratories, the library, or cafeteria. "All Clear" announcements will be made when the situation is stabilized.
The Emergency Director, or his appointed designee in conjunction with members of the Emergency Planning Team, campus public safety, and facilities management and planning will determine whether to activate the LaneAlert emergency notification system.
Five criteria must be considered to determine if activation of the LaneAlert system is warranted and which communications will be utilized:
1. Hazard Type
a. What is the hazard? (fire, earthquake, flood, chemical hazard, dangerous individual)
b. What is the impact to Lane Community College? (Minor, major, disaster)
c. What is the potential for the situation to worsen?
d. Is the situation under control?
2. Life Safety / Property Protection
a. What is the potential for death?
b. What is the potential for serious injury?
c. What is the potential for minor injury?
d. What is the potential for damage?
e. What is the potential for disruption to normal course of business?
3. Urgency
a. How soon does the message need to go out? (Seconds, hours, days)
b. Is there time for approval?
4. Audience
a. Who needs to be alerted? (Administration, faculty, staff, students, visitors)
b. How many people need to be alerted? (dozens, hundreds, thousands)
5. Capabilities / Limitations
a. What are the limitations of the system? (audience, delivery time, mass panic)
b. Which system should be used? (Press conference, LaneAlert, email, text, phone)
c. How quickly can the messages be sent? (Immediately, minutes, hours)
The following are authorized and trained to send messages through the LaneAlert system.
1. Emergency Director
2. Primary backup designee –Chief Human Resources Officer
3. Secondary backup designee – Director of Public Safety
4. Emergency and Risk Management Analyst
5. Campus PIO
6. Public Safety Officer
Hazardous Materials Incident
Hazardous Materials Accidents
Contamination by hazardous materials can occur by physical contact or inhalation. At the college, hazardous material containers are required to be labeled with information regarding the health hazards of the substance. Individuals who believe they have been contaminated by contact with or inhalation of a known or suspected hazardous material should immediately seek emergency response assistance. They should advise college staff of where the material is located and type if known.
Decision Making for Hazardous Material Accidents
The active incident commander upon notification of a hazardous materials incident will:
1. Determine the extent and nature of the accident;
2. Ensure that the scene is cordoned off;
3. Request contamination control assistance from Facilities Management staff if indicated;
4. Request medical assistance if indicated;
5. Request local governmental agency support as appropriate;
6. Notify the Emergency Director if indicated; and
7. Coordinate response efforts under leadership of the ERT if indicated.
Action Steps
1. Unless properly trained, do not attempt to clean up the hazardous spill. Call Facilities Management at (541) 463-5000.
2. If a gas cylinder or other chemical container leaks, and if you believe this is dangerous, the following steps should be taken:
a. Confine the fumes or fire by shutting the door to the room.
b. Sound the building fire alarm. Begin evacuation procedures.
c. Call Public Safety at (541) 463-5555 or (541) 463-5558. Give your name, department, location and specific information about the nature of the material involved.
d. Leave the building and move to the designated location for the building. Do not obstruct emergency personnel or vehicles.
e. Suspected gas leaks or suspicious odors should be reported to Public Safety at (541) 463-5555 or (541) 463-5558.
Oregon.gov's Hazardous Communication Training