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HomeMy WebLinkAbout46G-Bomb Threats 2019 Policy & Procedure Page 1 of 7 Lexington Police Department Subject: Bomb Threats Policy Number: 46G Accreditation Standards: Reference: 46.1.2 Effective Date: 10/1/12  New  Revised Revision Dates: 1/24/19 By Order of: Mark J. Corr, Chief of Police GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES Bomb threats require a specialized response from emergency personnel. The purpose of this policy is to provide members with a protocol for dealing with threatened or actual bombings to include response, deployment, search, evacuation and assistance with specialized units. It is the policy of the Lexington Police Department to respond to bomb threats and emergencies in a systematic and efficient manner that gives primary consideration to the protection of human life. Members are also expected to handle bomb threats in a manner that will not cause unnecessary risk to Department members, the public or property. Incidents involving bomb threats, dangerous devices and/or detonated explosive devices should activate the Incident Command System (ICS). If a suspected explosive or suspicious package is located, the Fire Chief has the authority to order evacuations under M.G.L. Chapter 148. PROCEDURE A. Definitions 1. Bomb Emergency: A bomb emergency exists when a suspected or actual explosives device has been located or has been detonated. 2. Bomb Threats: A bomb threat condition exists when an explosive device has been reported or is suspected to be at a given location. 3. Dangerous Device: Any suspected or actual compound, mixture, substance, suspected packages, or mechanical device that poses the threat of serious bodily harm to people, or damage to property, either by explosive or incendiary means. 46F-Bomb Threats Policy & Procedure Page 2 of 7 a. Note: Dangerous Devices may include, but are not limited to, commercial explosives, (dynamite, blasting caps, plastic explosive, ammunition, gunpowder, etc.); chemicals used in clandestine drug labs; or Infernal Machines as defined in MGL Chapter 266 § 102A. 4. Improvised Explosive Device (IED): An explosive device generally used in unconventional warfare or terrorist activities. A crudely fabricated dangerous device that incorporates destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic or incendiary chemicals designed to destroy, incapacitate, harass, or distract. 5. Manager: The person in charge of the property at the time of the incident: this may be the owner, manager, senior employee, School Administrator, or other person in charge. 6. Unattended Package: Any unaccounted for package which appears to be a dangerous device. B. Dispatcher Responsibilities 1. A Department member receiving a bomb threat or warning from a caller shall, to the best of their ability, ask the caller to answer the following questions: a. When is the bomb going to explode? b. Where is it right now? c. What does it look like? d. What kind of bomb is it? e. What will cause it to explode? f. Did you place the bomb? Why? g. What is your address? h. What is your name? 2. To facilitate the collection of information, dispatch personnel may utilize the Lexington Police Department Bomb Threat Information Checklist located in the Dispatch Center, which lists questions a – h above. C. Dispatch Procedures 1. Dispatch a minimum of two (2) Officers and the Patrol Supervisor (If available) to the scene of a bomb threat or emergency. 2. Dispatch the Fire Department to the scene. 3. Notify the Commanding Officer on-duty. 4. Advise all other units to remain clear of the scene unless otherwise directed by a Supervisor; 5. Advise responding units/agencies of threat location and staging areas. 46F-Bomb Threats Policy & Procedure Page 3 of 7 D. Scene Management 1. First Officer on the Scene a. Activate NIMS/ICS system; b. Establish perimeters &”zones of control”; c. Request additional police officers/personnel to cordon off four (4) sides of any structure that is targeted; d. Locate owner/representative of targeted location; e. Interview the person who reported the threat, if possible; and f. Advise the Police supervisor of any potential hazards such as: i. Whether previous threats have been received at the location; ii. Any possible motives and/or suspects; iii. The size of the building/structure; iv. The number of occupants and the type of occupancy; v. Contents of building (hazardous materials, etc.); and vi. Any available maps or blueprints of the structure and grounds that are targeted. For additional guidance in responding procedures reference Department policy 46A – All Hazards Plan and Department policy 46B – Special Operations - Emergencies, Disasters & Special Events. 2. Police Personnel On-Scene To reduce the risk of detonation, police personnel responding to a bomb threat, unattended package or located dangerous device incident should NOT: a. TOUCH OR MOVE any suspicious objects or packages; b. Allow anyone within 500 feet of a suspicious object or dangerous device; c. Touch any electrical devices or appliances; d. Direct flashlight beams onto a possible dangerous device or use a camera flash, which may cause detonation through a photoelectric cell triggering mechanism; e. Never rule out the possibility of a secondary dangerous device; f. Transmit Radio within 300 feet of a suspected bomb; officers may keep their radios in the “on” position to receive transmissions but should not transmit. A radio transmission may have sufficient energy to detonate some bomb types; g. Have cellular phones turned off within 300 feet of a suspected bomb. 3. The first police supervisor on scene shall: a. Establish a unified Command Post with responding agencies; b. Assume responsibility for the security of the Command Post; 46F-Bomb Threats Policy & Procedure Page 4 of 7 c. Assume command and overall responsibility for maintaining perimeters, crowd control, and support functions, ensuring that the perimeters include: i. Hot Zone (where the dangerous device is located) ii. Warm Zone (where the inner perimeter is established) iii. Cold Zone (outer perimeter where the command post and staging areas are located). Examples of guidelines for minimum safe distances: • 10 pounds of explosive = 1,000 feet • 20 pounds of explosive = 1,400 feet d. Establish a staging area and assign personnel to operate the staging area; e. Request additional resources (e.g. local, state or military bomb squad, explosive detection K-9 teams, mutual aid, NEMLEC). NOTE: Mass. State Police Hazardous Devices Technicians and Mass. State Police explosive detecting K-9s will only respond to incidents if a suspicious package or a potential dangerous device is located. 4. Evacuation of Structures a. The decision to search, evacuate, or re-occupy a structure or location during a bomb threat shall be the responsibility of the Manager in charge of the property that has been threatened. b. Officers should not order an evacuation based solely upon a bomb threat. c. Working as a unified command, the on-scene Incident Commander and the Fire Department Commander shall provide available information to the responsible parties in order to assist them in making decisions on searching, evacuating, and re-occupying any structure or facility. d. If a suspected explosive or suspicious package is located, the Fire Chief or his designee has the authority to order evacuations under M.G.L. Chapter 148. e. If a decision is made to evacuate the premises, police personnel shall assist with the orderly removal of such persons that are ordered to leave. f. Evacuees shall be kept at least 500 feet from any evacuated structure, and away from glass doors and windows. g. The evacuation zone should be checked thoroughly prior to evacuation. h. Police supervisors shall ensure that any evacuation route is clear, and does not take people closer to a located dangerous device, suspicious package, or IED. 46F-Bomb Threats Policy & Procedure Page 5 of 7 5. Search of Structures: When a search of a structure is required, the following shall apply: a. The formation, record keeping, deployment, and recall of search teams should be in accordance with the requirements specified within the structure of the NIMS/ICS system; b. A task force shall respond out of the staging area. At a minimum the force should be composed of one (1) police official, one (1) firefighter, an individual that is knowledgeable of the contents and layout of the premises; c. Under no circumstances shall employees or occupants of the targeted location be forced, coerced or mandated to search for dangerous devices; d. Search team members shall, as they deem appropriate, utilize one or more of the following standardized search techniques when searching the interior of rooms: i. Stand quietly and listen while scanning/looking around rooms; ii. Do not turn lights or switches on or off; iii. Divide the area and select search height: floor to waist, waist to head, and head to ceiling; iv. Start at the bottom and work up; v. Start the search back to back and go around the room in a circular pattern until search team members meet; vi. Overlap and/or switch areas to double check; and vii. Do not jar or move any suspicious package/item(s). e. Search teams shall be recalled to return to the staging area at the completion of their search if no dangerous device is found. 6. Bomb Threats against Vehicles Officers responding to bomb threats targeting vehicles should attempt to determine the existence of a dangerous device by conducting a visual inspection of the inside and underside of a vehicle without opening doors, trunks, hoods. Be extremely vigilant for IEDs and booby-traps when responding to this type of threat. 7. Located Dangerous Devices: To be handled only by trained personnel. a. LPD personnel shall not in any manner handle, touch, or move a dangerous device, either suspected or known. Suspected dangerous devices and threats against vehicles shall be handled by local, state, federal or military bomb technicians only. b. Any acids, liquids, gases or cylinders containing any dangerous substances not considered to be an explosive should be handled by the Fire Department Personnel. See Department policy 83A - Collection and Preservation of Evidence. 46F-Bomb Threats Policy & Procedure Page 6 of 7 8. Post-Detonation Guidelines: Detonated Dangerous Devices a. First Police Officer(s) and Police Supervisor On-Scene i. If an explosion occurs, be conscious of the possibility that a more powerful secondary attack will occur shortly thereafter; timed to inflict the maximum number of casualties against the responding Police, Fire and EMS responders; ii. Be aware of snipers or active shooters in the area; iii. DO NOT rush into the attack site. Direct responding personnel and vehicles to stay clear of the immediate attack site: Report to the staging area until the surrounding area can be swept for a secondary dangerous device, unless otherwise instructed by a police supervisor; iv. Rapidly establish a unified command post and staging areas outside the hazard area. Start building the incident management system as needed; v. Immediately disperse any crowds; vi. Direct bomb technicians to begin a search for a secondary explosive device secreted on loitering individuals, in suspicious packages, trash receptacles, parked vehicles, or other likely locations. vii. Establish a task force or strike team to respond, if time and circumstances allow, for a more controlled response; viii. Quickly arrange for the removal of victims from the explosion site and have aid rendered in a secure location. Conduct triage outside of the detonation site. ix. Implement mass-casualty/mass-fatality procedures; x. Expect numerous types of injuries, blast pressure or internal injuries, burns, and shrapnel; xi. Some seriously wounded victims may have no visible wounds and some victims may be beyond help; xii. Biohazard issues need to be addressed rapidly. Consult with unified command regarding decontamination procedures; xiii. Immediately monitor for other hazards such as chemical agents, gases or radioactive materials; and xiv. Understand that the scene will be very dynamic and unstable, act with extreme caution. b. Investigatory Procedures i. Photograph all items prior to moving them and mark the exact location where they were found; See Department policy 83A - Collection and Preservation of Evidence. ii. Investigators will attempt to fingerprint bomb components – treat them accordingly; 46F-Bomb Threats Policy & Procedure Page 7 of 7 iii. Make immediate notifications of state and federal resources to include: • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Boston (617) 557-2100 Springfield (413) 785-0007 • Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston (617) 742-5533 • U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston (617) 556-4400 iv. Plan on an extensive, multi-day crime scene investigation. 9. Pre-Detonation Response Guidelines: Suicide Bomber a. Upon being dispatched to a location where a person is suspected of being a suicide bomber, police personnel shall follow the previously referenced operational actions and: b. If the suspect is neutralized and there is no explosion – do not render aid to the suspect. Bomb technicians or a bomb robot shall perform the first approach towards any identified or suspected bomber. Apply the FBI “ALERT” suspicious factor indicator guide, in order to assess whether a subject is a potential suicide bomber: A Alone and nervous L Loose and/or bulky clothing E Exposed wires (possibly through a sleeve) R Rigid mid-section (dangerous device or a rifle) T Tightened hands (may hold a detonation device)