SOP for Planning Bomb Threat Exercise:

Objective

These are the guidelines to plan a table top exercise (discussion-based) to assist the
security officers and premises management to address the needs in coping with a bomb
threat.

Planning and Preparation

In the planning preparation for the exercise, the following should be noted:

Developing an Exercise Scenario:

a) Development of Emergency Scenarios. Develop one or more emergency scenarios
with information and data specific to the threat. The emergency scenarios may
include a threat situation from the following.
1. A bomb threat call
2. A written bomb threats
3. A suspicious person who can be a potential person borne IED
4. A suspected improvised explosive device
5. A suspected vehicle borne IED

b) Identification of Anticipated Problems. Identify anticipated problems that may arise

from the scenarios to inject for exercise play. Examples of these could include:

1. What measures or steps to take to safe guard the building’s fire safety systems
against suspicious persons or possible activities of destruction or sabotage?

2. How to better manage access control measures into the building of such
situation?

3. How to positively identify a suspected bomb threat arising from object based,
person borne and vehicle IED.

c) Issuance or notification of General Instructions File. Provide ample notice and

information to all that is involved in the exercise by issuing a General Instructions File
consisting of:
1. Aim, date and venue of the exercise

2. Stages and timing of the exercise

3. Structure of the exercise body which comprise of members of the Fire Safety
Committee and other nominated participants

d) Roles and responsibility of personnel involved.

The General Instructions File should be issued to the exercise participants at least a
month prior to the conduct of the exercise to allow ample time for the necessary
preparation.
 Personnel Information:
- Building’s emergency response team member contact information and
assignments.
- List of personnel trained in CPR and/or first aid.
- Updated list, with pictures if possible, of all staff/personnel
- Staff/visitors sign-in/out sheets that include names and dates; include provision for
staff/visitors transported to medical facilities.
- List of staff with special needs and description of need
- Contact information for neighbouring/contiguous buildings

Preparation of Admin and Logistics

Make the necessary administrative and logistical arrangement. For example, rooms and
communication systems for the exercise. Others may include the following:
a) Emergency Response Plans:
- Copies of the Site Crisis Response Plan, Bomb Threat Management Plan, and
Crisis Management Plan
- A list of the following emergency contact numbers:
- Site Decision Maker(s)
- Police/Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Nearest hospital
- Facility emergency names and phone numbers

b) Updating of Emergency Response Plan (ERP).

Ensure that the ERP is updated and all exercise participants are familiar with it.

c) Preparation of Staff Aids.

Prepare and make the necessary information and staff aids available for the conduct
of the exercise. For example, ERP, layout plan of the building, information on building
occupants, etc.

d) Other equipment may include:

- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Communication Equipment
- Fire Fighting Equipment
- Local street and zone maps
- Clipboards
- Writing materials (legal pads, pens, pencils, markers)
- Plastic red/ yellow tape for cordoning off areas
- Mock IEDs with the necessary telltale indicators
Pre-exercise Briefing
A briefing must be conducted by the key coordinator or manager to all the exercise
participants prior to the exercise. The briefing is aimed to ensure that all the participants are
clear about the exercise scope and the roles expected of them. The briefing encompasses
the concept, scope of the exercise and all the necessary administrative and logistical
arrangements that is required for the smooth conduct of the exercise. The briefing should
provide details on the following:
 a) The overall timeframe for the conduct of the exercise.

b) The timetable for main activities of each stage of the exercise.

c) The main scenarios being played.

d) The process of injecting the anticipated problems.

e) Location map or layout plan for specific incidents or problems being played.

f) Roles of exercise participants.

g) Admin and logistical support and arrangements.

Exercise Safety - Conduct Exercise and in a Safe and Proper Manner

A key coordinator must be appointed to ensure the safety of the exercise. The key
coordinator should oversee and direct the conduct of the exercise and supervise the
exercise activities. The tasks to be carried out will include:

a) Electrical and equipment to be utilized for the exercise. These should be documented
for safety, compliance and maintenance checks prior to the start of the exercise.

b) Use of real device and dummy shall be properly marked, label and kept.

c) To lay down the scenario that is being played at the start of the exercise.

d) To guide other participants in deliberating and coordinating of their roles and actions
that is to be taken in such a scenario.

e) To inject simulated incidents or anticipated problems relating to the scenario.

f) To work with the participants in coming out with solutions best suited to tackle the
simulated incidents or problems.

g) Key coordinater has the right stop all exercise when safety issues arises.

Depending on the scenario, the following action should be taken.

a) When receiving a bomb threat call:
- Remain calm and DO NOT HANG UP
- If possible, signal other staff members to listen and notify Site Decision Maker(s)
and authorities
- If the phone has a display, copy the number and/or letters on the window display.
- Keep the caller on the line for as long as possible and use the Bomb Threat
- Checklist to gather as much information as you can.
- Record if possible
- Fill out the Bomb Threat Checklist immediately
b) When discovering suspicious objects/articles:
The Site Decision Maker(s) must take into consideration of the discovery of multiple
suspicious items during the planning and execution stages of the facility’s Bomb
Threat Response Plan.

Considerations for Site Decision Maker(s):

Repeat Threat Assessment:
I. Is the threat credible?
II. Were there any suspicious items located (if search was initiated)?

Based on Threat Assessment, search it (if initiated), and totality of circumstances,

determine if additional measures are warranted:
III. Partial or full lockdown?
IV. Partial or full evacuation?
V. No further action?

If evacuation is initiated:
- Select evacuation routes and assembly areas that are not in the vicinity of the
suspicious item; ensure that these routes have been searched and cleared.
- Notify police/fire/EMS of evacuation and request assistance
- Account for all personnel
- Evacuation Team confirms building is empty
- Bring emergency kit
- Advise all evacuees to remove all personal items (E.g. purses, backpacks)
- Site Decision Maker(s) should remain on-scene until situation is resolved or until
relieved by another administrator
- Every bomb threat requires professional judgement and should be handled in
accordance with the facility’s needs. Site Decision Maker(s) and administrators
should periodically review Federal guidance and work with local first responders to
establish a Bomb Threat Response Plan that addresses each risk level
appropriately and is optimal for their building(s) and personnel.
c) When spotting a suspicious person:
- Observe and identify the person’s characteristics.
- Discreetly observe and monitor the behaviour of the suspicious person.
- If the person is potentially a person borne IED, do NOT approach or alert the
subject but must immediately request for assistance from the relevant authorities.
-Note the description of the subject:
I. Race
II. Gender
III. Clothing
IV. Body size (height/weight)
V. Hair and eye colour
VI. Additional observation (whether carrying a bag, wire sticking out of his/her
clothing, holding something, etc)

d) When spotting a suspicious vehicle which may be laden with explosives: It’s
characteristics may be:
 - Unmanned
- Haphazardly parked
- Overly weighted especially where no indication of bulk is visible
- Presence of suspicious items inside (e.g. boxes / parcels sticking out with wires) –
- Presence of foreign objects attached under the vehicle or beside the wheels.
- Signs of being tampered with (e.g. keyhole damaged, windows/doors ajar, drilled
holes in car body).
- It has a new vehicle license plate mounted on an old & dirty vehicle.

Such vehicles characteristic should be checked and recorded. Inform relevant

authorities and it should be a cordoned with a 400 meters radius in accordance with
security operating procedures and provide complete, accurate and relevant details.

Exercise Evaluation (AAR)

Immediately after the conclusion of the exercise proper, AAR has to be conducted and
documented. The aim of the exercise evaluation is:
a) To document the observations and findings arising from the exercise.

b) To bring up lessons learnt and recommend measures for improvement and

implementation.

c) To allow participants to clarify doubts and uncertainties that they may have with
regards to their roles or the procedures to be adopted.

d) To identify solutions to anticipated problems and recommendations for changes or

additions to be made to the Emergency Response Plan.

e) A simple debrief report should be put up thereafter capturing the above areas.