Bomb Threat

Telephone Threat

• Remain calm. 
• Note the current time and record the number displayed on caller ID.
• Try to ascertain:
  • The location of the bomb
  • The time the bomb is expected to go off
  • What does it look like?
  • What kind of bomb is it?
  • What will make it explode?
  • What is your name?
• Listen to the voice carefully and try to determine:
  • Estimated age of the caller
  • Accent of the caller
  • Sex of the caller
  • Is there any background noise that might identify where the caller is?
• If you receive the call on voicemail, save the voicemail
• Write down all your observations and the information given to you
• Once the call is disconnected:
  • Immediately call Public Safety at 802-443-5911 or Law Enforcement at 911
  • Await further instructions

Email Threat

• Remain calm
• Do not delete the email and avoid replying to it. 
• Preserve the email as it can serve as important evidence. 
• Analyze the sender’s email address and note the time it was received. 
• Be cautious of any attachments in the email and refrain from clicking on them.
• Call Public Safety immediately
• Notify your immediate supervisor
• Avoid the area where the bomb is alleged to be until Public Safety and/or Law Enforcement issue an “All Clear.”

Written Threat

• Call Public Safety immediately
• Notify your immediate supervisor
• Avoid unnecessary handling of the message to preserve evidence and keep it in a safe place until Public Safety and/or Law Enforcement arrive
• Avoid the area where the bomb is alleged to be until Public Safety and/or Law Enforcement issue an “All Clear.”

Suspicious Packages, Envelopes, or Substances

If you suspect a bomb:

• Keep others away.
• Do not touch the package.
• Call 911 or Public Safety at 802-443-5911 immediately.

If item is suspicious but threat is unknown:

• Do not handle the item if possible.
• Report the item to your supervisor.
• Contact the Department of Public Safety at 802-443-5911. 
• A public safety officer will determine if the police need to be contacted.

If you find an opened suspicious package:

• Do not touch the package.
• Report the package to your supervisor.
• Secure the area and do not allow entry.
• Call the Department of Public Safety at 802-443-5911 and advise them of the package.
• Any employee who had direct contact with the package should wash her/his exposed skin with soap and water.
• Wait for emergency responders to arrive and follow their directions.
• Provide emergency responders with information about who was in the area around the time the package was discovered.

Characteristics of suspicious packages and envelopes:

• Have a powdery substance on the outside.
• Are unexpected or are from someone unfamiliar to you.
• Have excessive postage, handwritten or poorly typed addresses, incorrect titles with names, or misspellings of common words.
• Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or the addresses are outdated.
• Have no return address or an address that cannot be verified as legitimate.
• Addresses not consistent with postmarks.
• Are of unusual weight, given their size, or are lopsided or oddly shaped.
• Have an unusual amount of tape, string, or other wrapping material on them.
• Are marked with restrictive endorsements, such as “Fragile” or “Personal” and “Confidential” or “Rush-Do-Not-Delay.”
• Have strange odors or stains.