Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) Mission:
Inspiring Excellence: Every Grownup, Every Child, Every Day.
Crisis Site Map
Crisis Management - Bomb Threats
Definition:
Any verbal or written communication that indicates than an incendiary / explosive device will / may be located and / or detonated on school property.
Prevention Strategies
Every morning have faculty and/or staff check building areas for foreign objects / objects of suspicious origin. If such an item is detected, established response procedures should be followed.
Response Procedures
The bomb threat will usually be made by telephone and will be brief. The person answering the phone should ask the following questions:
- Exact location of the bomb
- Time set for detonation
- Description of explosive or container
- Type of explosive
- Reason for call or threat
The person receiving the call should note the following:
- Date and time of the call
- Exact language used
- Sex of caller
- Estimated age of caller
- Peculiar or identifiable accent
- Possible race of caller
- Identifiable background noise such as music, trucks or other conversation
The bomb threat should be reported to the building principal who should evaluate the call and make the decision of what prior planned procedure is to be initiated, or, if there is time, convene the school crisis team to evaluate the situation and implement the appropriate plan of action.
No call or threat should be disregarded. Choices for administrative response, after documentation, are:
- To take no action
- To search without an evacuation
- To evacuate and search
- If a decision to evacuate the premises is made, evacuate the building according to established fire drill procedure, subject to modification for inclement weather. These modifications might include moving to a neighboring building (church, school, business) or boarding buses to provide protection. This system should be clearly communicated and practiced throughout the year. For those teachers who have been designated as "search personnel" an alternate staff person must be designated to accept responsibility for students. Evacuation distance should always be at least 300 feet from the suspected device. Keep in mind that the most accessible areas for a bomb are the outside areas.
- Notification procedures include:
- Contact Kansas City, Kansas Police Department regarding the receipt of the bomb threat.
- Contact superintendent's office concerning the receipt of the threat.
- Establish communications procedures for:
- Staff
- Students
- Media ("We have received a bomb threat. The situation is being handled according to district policy. Additional information may be obtained from the district chief of staff.")
- Community
Investigative Techniques/Procedures
A search, if deemed necessary, must be carefully and properly made. It will be the responsibility of the school administrator to designate those individuals who will conduct the search. Building custodians (with master keys) and/or other staff persons may be designated. As a general rule, searches follow two basic rules:
- Start on the outside and work toward the inside.
- Once inside, start from the lowest level and work up.
The people best suited to search any given area are those who work in that area, for they will have the least difficulty spotting any new or foreign object.
Exterior searching should begin at ground level with close attention given to piles of leaves or refuse, shrubbery, entrances, manholes, trashcans, and parked vehicles. Particular attention should be given to window ledges, air-conditioning units, signs, building ornaments, fire escapes. If the roof is accessible from the outside, the roof should be included in the search.
Interior areas most likely to attract bombers are areas open to the public and areas containing service equipment. The search team should move systematically from floor to floor, room to room, through the building. Detailed room searches are best carried out by following these suggested steps:
- An audio check should be made, and any unusual sound should be investigated immediately.
- Searchers should divide the room into approximate equal parts on the basis of number of objects or areas to be searched. These areas are searched by member of teams assigned to search them. When completed, they should switch areas and conduct searches again.
- Each area should be searched by each team, first from waist level down, then from waist level up.
If / when a bomb or suspected explosive device is located, do not disturb it. The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department will be in charge of the disposal of the bomb. If evacuation has not been done, it should be ordered immediately. Windows and doors should be opened, and all electrical equipment should be disconnected.
Other Considerations
Building administrators must use their discretion as to what information to communicate to students based, in part, on the age of the student body. A false reason for the evacuation, such as a leaking gas main, may be given in order to prevent panic, and would account for the opening of doors and windows and the turning off of lights and disconnecting all electrical equipment and appliances.
