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104 Bomb Response (Issued 05-15-2008)FRIDLEY POLICE DATE OF ISSUE NUMBER: GENERAL ORDER May 15, 2008 104 SUBJECT: REVISION DATE SECTION: Bomb Threats and Bomb Emergencies May 15, 2008 Red I. PURPOSE It is the purpose of this policy to provide officers with a protocol for dealing with bomb threats and bomb emergencies to include response, deployment, search, evacuation and assistance to specialized units. II. POLICY While many bomb threats are later determined to be hoaxes, they all present particularly serious response requirements for law enforcement agencies. It is the policy of this law enforcement agency that all responses to bomb threats or emergencies be conducted systematically, efficiently and in a manner that gives primary consideration to the protection of human life, while ensuring that the department does not unnecessarily interfere with the rights of property owners. Members are also expected to handle bomb threats in a manner which will not cause unnecessary risk to Department members. III. DEFINITIONS Bomb Threat A bomb threat condition exists when an explosive device has been reported or is suspected to be at a given location. Bomb Emergency A bomb emergency exists when a suspected or actual explosive device has been located or has been detonated. IV. BOMB THREAT PROCEDURES Upon receipt of a bomb threat call, the assigned officer(s) shall respond. The on duty supervisor or command officer will be immediately notified. A. Responding Officer’s Responsibilities: 1. The responding officer shall attempt to determine as soon as possible: a. The exact wording of the threat; b. The location, time of detonation, appearance and any other available information concerning the nature of the threat or the identity of the perpetrators; c. Additional information, to include whether previous threats have been received; possible motives and/or suspects; vulnerabilities of equipment and personnel, including on- scene hazardous materials; B. Searching for Explosive Devices: 1. If an explosive device is alleged to be within a building but has not been located, the responding officer will contact building owners/management or other responsible person to determine if a search of the facility is desired; a. The decision to search, evacuate or to reenter a structure/location during a bomb threat will be the responsibility of the individual in charge of the property; b. The responding officer at the scene shall provide information as available to the responsible parties in order to assist them in making decisions on searching, evacuation or reentry; c. If management or the responsible agent does not wish that a search be conducted, no further action of this agency is warranted with the exception of standardized reporting requirements; d. Only in cases where a real or suspected explosive device has been detected shall an evacuation be conducted regardless of the desires of building management; 2. Searches of target buildings shall be conducted only with the direct assistance of employees or others knowledgeable of the contents and lay-out of the building. The responding officer may request the assistance of a bomb detection canine in order to assist in conducting the search. a. A search plan shall be developed identifying the extent of the search depending upon the type of establishment, the motivation of the perpetrator and accessibility of the building; b. A floor plan shall be obtained whenever possible, and a systematic search organized by the responding officer(s); c. In no case shall department personnel declare that no bomb is present or in any way make the representation that the building is safe to occupy, no matter how thorough the search. 3. When conducting a search, officers should be particularly alert to the following items as indicators that there may be explosives at the location. Officers should be cautioned that absence of the following does not assure that there is no bomb present: a. Explosives-related pamphlets, periodicals and books; b. Excessive amounts of galvanized or PVC pipe nipples and end caps, especially if they have drill holes in the nipple or cap; c. Low-explosive powders or other incendiary mixtures; d. Fuses of any type to include homemade burning fuses, such as string soaked in a burning powder; e. Electrical switches; and f. Electrical matches, blasting caps or similar initiators. V. BOMB EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Upon locating a real or suspected explosive device, a command officer or administrative on-call officer will be immediately notified. A. Responding officers should: 1. Not attempt to move or otherwise disturb the device(s); 2. Not use portable radios or cellular phones for communication within 300 feet of the device(s); 3. Be aware of and search for possible secondary device(s), ingress/ egress routes, and obvious staging and assembly points; 4. Proceed with immediate evacuation of the structure and/or the area to a point consistent with the threat but not less that 500 feet from the device(s). Metropolitan Council Transit Operations (MCTO) buses may be requested to provide emergency sheltering if weather conditions warrant. 5. Define and secure the perimeter; B. The responding officer shall contact Central Communications by landline telephone to request: 1. Notification of EMS and fire/rescue agencies; 2. Assistance from an available bomb disposal unit: a. Minneapolis Police Bomb Unit Office: 612-673-3036 Dispatch: 612-348-2345 b. St. Paul Police Ordinance Disposal Unit Office: 651-266-5768 Dispatch: 651-291-1111 C. The responding officer is responsible for command of the scene until relieved by a supervisory or command level officer. The responding officer will brief investigators and bomb disposal specialists as appropriate. D. Officers responding to the scene of an explosion should be aware that attempts to assist persons and/or conduct further investigation may be jeopardized by weakened structure, broken water and gas mains or downed electrical lines. Once injured persons have been removed from the scene of an explosion, responding officers are to establish and maintain a perimeter well away from the point of explosion.