CHAPTER EIGHT: CAMPUS POLICE AND SAFETY

SECTION TWO

BOMB THREATS AND BOMBINGS

I. POLICY:

It shall be the policy of Florida Gulf Coast University to take seriously, and act appropriately to, all bomb threats; to actively investigate both bomb threats and the placement and possible detonation of explosive devices; and to insure the safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors.

II. BOMB THREAT RESPONSIBILITES:

The majority of bomb threats made, are done telephonically, so as to disrupt operations or as a joke. However, this does not mean that these calls can be taken lightly. Until such time as the veracity of the call can be verified, all calls shall be treated as authentic.

A. Receiving Employee: The receiving employee has the following responsibilities:

1. Note the exact time of the call. If the phone is equipped to tape incoming calls, make sure that it is operating.

2. Attempt to determine who is calling. Is it a male or female? Do they speak with an accent or attempt to disguise their voice? Are they young or old? What is their emotional state (i.e., angry, laughing, crying)?

3. Attempt to determine the location from where the call is being made. Are there any background noises (i.e., traffic, laughter)?

4. Attempt to determine where the device is, what does it look like, what is it made of, and what triggers it.

5. Attempt to determine when the device is set to go off. Also ask when was it set and how was access gained to place the device.

6. Attempt to determine why the University was targeted.

7. Record information on card provided.

8. If possible, get a second employee to call the Phone Company to institute an emergency trace.

9. Keep the caller on line as long as possible. Never hang up on them nor put them on hold.

10. Notify, or cause to be notified, the Campus Police and Safety Department.

Above all, remain calm.

The gathering of information is, perhaps, the most important factor to consider when a threat is made. The collection of relevant data allows the University to make informed decisions regarding the possibility of evacuation or the disruption of normal operation.

B. Building Safety Coordinator: Each Building Safety Coordinator has the following responsibilities:

1. Working with assigned Safety Wardens, prepare and update an evacuation plan for the building. The plan should show all exits and any areas in which hazardous materials are stored. The plan should also show all critical areas (i.e., mechanical rooms, data processing rooms).

2. Establish a means by which new employees housed in the building are familiarized with evacuation and search plans.

3. Work with each departmental entity to create and update plans for conducting a search of their work areas.

4. In conjunction with the Campus Police and Safety Department, conduct an assessment of any drills or actual evacuations that take place.

C. Safety Warden: Each Dean or Director shall assign the duties of Safety Warden to an employee who is most familiar with their area. The duties and responsibilities of the Safety Warden are:

1. Work with the Building Safety Coordinator to establish, review and update search and evacuation plans.

2. When informed of a threat and the need for evacuation insure that building occupants follows these procedures.

3. Assist the Police Department in searching their areas for suspicious objects or articles.

4. Prevent reentry of unauthorized personnel while under an evacuation order.

D. All Employees: All employees should be aware that they too have responsibilities to guard against threats to the safety of all persons occupying the university. Employee responsibilities include the following:

1. Reporting suspicious persons or activity to the Police Department.

2. Reporting threats made against them or the university.

3. Reporting, but not handling, suspicious items, articles or packages.

4. Assisting with the search of work areas.

5. Cooperating during the ordered evacuation of their work areas.

E. Campus Police and Safety Department: Members of the Campus Police and Safety Department shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Assist in the evacuation of building occupants.

2. Assist in the search of buildings.

3. Investigate bomb threats and the placement of suspected explosive devices.

4. In conjunction with the Lee County Port Authority Police Department, arrange for the removal and destruction of suspected devices.

5. Cooperate with any outside investigative entity regarding threats or placement of suspected devices.

6. Assist the Building Safety Coordinators and Safety Wardens in the preparation, review and revision of evacuation and search plans.

7. Assist in the training of university personnel in matters related to safety.

© FGCU 1998 Administrative Services. This is an official FGCU web page. Florida Gulf Coast University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Effective Date: 04/01/98
Revised Date: 04/01/98
Contact: bharris@fgcu.edu