BOMBS
by Douglas Henderson
Bomb threats and actual detonations have become an all-too-frequent problem for American business. This article discusses:
- Responses to a Bomb Threat
- Evacuation Plans
It's not enough to describe bomb-related procedures in you business continuation plan. Before a real emergency, you must communicate the plans to the right individuals.
When a bomb threat is received, it's important that the proper procedures have been communicated to the operators answering incoming telephone calls. It's also essential to have a bomb threat checklist conveniently located at the operator's station. The checklist will greatly assist the operator by identifying the correct actions/responses and serving as a convenient form for the recording of important information.
Employee Safety and Survival Plan must include evacuation procedures. Adding floor plans that identify the location of evacuation routes, fire extinguishers, etc. is also a good idea.
Evacuation routes should be posted throughout the facility. This is important for anyone unfamiliar with the area, such as guests or employees working outside their normal work area.
Evacuation procedures should be practiced. A fire and evacuation drill will help identify of any flaws in your plan and help employees to be better focused in an emergency situation. As you develop your evacuation drill keep the following points in mind:
Fire & Evacuation Drills
I. Identify Special Team Members
A. Fire Control Team Members
- Extinguish minor fires
- Supervise and document the drill
B. Fire Deputies
- Sweep areas of the building
- Record employees not participating in a drill
- Record inappropriate actions (panic, use of elevators, etc.)
- Verify evacuation and record the last known location of any unaccounted personnel
- Document evacuation time
II. Special considerations
A. Establish Gathering Areas
- General area(s)
- Grouping (by departments? by areas?)
B. Make special considerations for physically challenged employees.
C. Meet with the Fire Department before, during, and after a drill.
D. Develop a special telephone message or excuse the telephone operator from participating in the drill.
E. Every Fire Deputy should have a current list of all employees for whom they are responsible. Provide clipboards, and employee lists with extra space for comments, and consider getting special identification caps, armbands, etc.
Douglas Henderson, CDRP, is President of Disaster Management, Inc., 1531 SE Sunshine Ave, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34952. Phone: (772) 335-9750, Fax: (772) 335-9739; Internet: http://www.disastermgt.com