10-03 Bomb Threats, Suspicious Packages/Devices and Explosions

Question 1

What is the Rationale?

Answer 1

Explosive material is extremely dangerous and SHALL only be handled by an expert. The primary concern is for the safety of citizens and emergency response personnel.

Only a Police Explosive Technician SHALL handle or transport a suspected bomb or explosive package/device. This Procedure is divided into three sections: bomb threats, suspicious packages/devices, and explosions.

Question 2

Supervision

Answer 2

 Supervisory Officer attendance mandatory when attending a bomb or explosion call
 On-Call Emergency Management & Public Order - Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) notification mandatory for all chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive (CBRNE) related events and incidents

Question 3

Procedure

Answer 3

The EDU is designated to respond to all explosive related events and incidents including hazardous environments, chemical suicides, suspicious packages, unknown materials, and illicit drug lab calls. The EDU analyzes, mitigates, and neutralizes all CBRNE threats, and preserves related evidence.
All members of the EDU have received specialized CBRNE incident training and are Police Explosive technicians accredited
The on-call EDU member SHALL be notified of all CBRNE related events and incidents by calling the police use only line (416) 435-2666.

Question 4

Member

Answer 4

As this Procedure is an extension of Procedure 10–01, members SHALL first comply with the direction contained in Procedure 10–01, and then follow the additional incident–specific direction contained in this Procedure.

Question 5

Bomb Threats - Member - When receiving a call of a bomb threat SHALL

Answer 5

 record the time of the call and the exact words used
 attempt to note the following information about the caller
 sex and approximate age
 speech characteristics (e.g., slow, rapid, disguised, accent, impediment, sincerity)
 background noises
 telephone number on call display, if available
 ask the caller specific details such as
 the location of the bomb
 when it will go off
 what it looks like
 what kind of bomb it is
 the reason the bomb was placed
 the caller’s name, address or location, and telephone number
 By asking such questions the caller may often answer them impulsively, thus providing additional information.
 note all pertinent information

Question 6

Bomb Threats - Member - After the caller has hung up SHALL notify

Answer 6

Communications Services, if the call was received from other than Communications Services.

Question 7

Bomb Threats - Police Officer - When attending the scene of a bomb threat SHALL

Answer 7

 interview the complainant
 initiate a premise search with persons familiar with the premise
 attempt to determine the location of the suspected explosive package/device
 use a telephone (not cellular) for communication rather than a radio to avoid possibility of detonation
 ensure that no person uses any item which may cause unintentional ignition or detonation
(For example an open flame, cigarette, electric switch, doorbell, cellular telephone or portable radio, etc.)

Question 8

Bomb Threats - Police Officer - Upon locating a suspected explosive package/device, SHALL

Answer 8

 comply with the Suspicious Packages/Devices portion of this procedure
 be vigilant for secondary devices and hazardous materials

Question 9

Bomb Threats - Supervisory Officer - When responding to a bomb threat SHALL

Answer 9

 obtain all relevant information from the first police officer on scene
 assume the role of Incident Commander

Question 10

Bomb Threats - Supervisory Officer - When a suspected explosive package/device has been located, SHALL

Answer 10

 comply with the Suspicious Packages/Devices portion of this procedure
 be vigilant for secondary devices and hazardous materials

Question 11

Bomb Threats - Incident Commander - Upon arrival at the scene of a bomb threat SHALL

Answer 11

 take charge of the incident
 contact the person in charge of the premises to determine if there are emergency plans
 ensure a command post is established and have the person in charge of the premises attend the command post
 ensure a search of premises by persons familiar with premises
 Special attention should be paid to public areas and areas where an explosive package/device would cause the most damage.
 consider use of the explosives detection dog/equipment
 ensure compliance with Procedures 08–03 NIP and 08–04, if applicable

Question 12

Bomb Threats - Incident Commander - When a suspected explosive package/device has been located, SHALL

Answer 12

 comply with the Suspicious Packages/Devices portion of this procedure
 be vigilant for secondary devices and hazardous materials

Question 13

Bomb Threats - Officer in Charge - Upon receiving information of a bomb threat SHALL

Answer 13

 ensure a supervisory officer and sufficient personnel are available to attend the scene
 ensure compliance with Procedures 08–03 and 08–04, if applicable

Question 14

Bomb Threats - Officer in Charge - Upon receiving information that a suspected explosive package/device has been located, SHALL ensure compliance with the

Answer 14

Suspicious Packages/Devices portion of this procedure.

Question 15

Suspicious Packages/Devices - Police Officer - Upon locating a suspicious package/device SHALL

Answer 15

 not touch or handle the package/device
 secure the area by establishing a minimum perimeter of thirty (30) meters around the package/device
 evacuate persons in the immediate vicinity
 ensure the EDU is notified of the exact location and description of the package/device
 detail a person to await the arrival of the EDU and direct them to the location ‒ when directed by the EDU,
 evacuate the area directly above and below the package/device, if located inside a building
 evacuate any adjoining premises
 clear the exterior of the building of pedestrians
 establish an exterior perimeter in compliance with the safe distance measurements contained in 10–03
Appendix A
 10–03 Appendix A is a chart from the National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC) and provides evacuation distances from specific explosives based on the type of explosive.
 be cognizant that there may be secondary packages/devices
 if any CBRNE material is indicated comply with Procedure 10–08
 brief the attending supervisor
 compile a list of the events as they occur

Question 16

Suspicious Packages/Devices - Police Officer - After the perimeter is established SHALL

Answer 16

 comply with Procedure 10–09, NIP as required
 take no further action concerning the suspicious package/device, and await the arrival of the EDU
 establish the most direct route to remove the suspicious package/device from the premises
 establish a command post located at a safe distance away from the scene and near other emergency services
(See 10–03 Appendix A for the safe distance chart)

Question 17

Suspicious Packages/Devices - Police Officer - When the suspicious package/device is removed by the EDU, and the preliminary investigation is complete SHALL

Answer 17

 obtain all necessary information and enter in memorandum book
 complete the applicable eReports

Question 18

Suspicious Packages/Devices - Supervisory Officer
When responding to a suspicious package/device event SHALL

Answer 18

 obtain all relevant information from the first police officer on scene
 assume the role of Incident Commander

Question 19

Suspicious Packages/Devices - Incident Commander
Upon arrival at the scene of a suspicious package/device SHALL

Answer 19

 take charge of the incident
 contact the person in charge of the premises to determine if there are emergency plans
 ensure a command post is established and have the person in charge of the premises attend the command post
 ensure a search of premises by persons familiar with premises
 Special attention should be paid to public areas and areas where an explosive package/device would cause the most damage.
 consider use of the explosives detection dog/equipment
 if criminal activity is suspected
‒ ensure investigative personnel are notified to attend and take charge of the investigation
‒ notify Intelligence Services
 ensure compliance with Procedures 08–03 and 08–04, if applicable

Question 20

Suspicious Packages/Devices - Officer in Charge - Upon receiving information of a suspicious package/device SHALL

Answer 20

 ensure a supervisory officer and sufficient personnel are available to attend the scene
 ensure compliance with Procedures 08–03 and 08–04, if applicable

Question 21

Explosions - Officers should use extreme caution when responding to calls for explosions At a minimum, explosions SHALL be treated as a

Answer 21

Level 2 – Major Incident.

Question 22

Explosions - Police Officer - When attending the scene of an explosion SHALL

Answer 22

 ensure that no person in the immediate area of the explosion uses any item which may cause unintentional ignition or detonation, such as an open flame, cigarette, electric switch, doorbell, cellular telephone or portable radio, etc.
 if any CBRNE material is indicated comply with Procedure 10–08
 use caution as secondary devices may be present
 protect the scene and preserve evidence
 notify the EDU on-call member

Question 23

Explosions - Supervisory Officer
When responding to an explosion SHALL comply with

Answer 23

item 15

When responding to a suspicious package/device event SHALL
 obtain all relevant information from the first police officer on scene
 assume the role of Incident Commander

Question 24

Explosions - Incident Commander - Upon arrival at the scene of an explosion SHALL

Answer 24

 preserve the scene until the arrival of the EDU
 ensure the scene is protected for evidence
 ensure Detective Operations – Forensic Identification Services (FIS) has been notified
 notify the Officer in Charge
 if criminal activity is suspected
‒ ensure investigative personnel are notified to attend and take charge of the investigation
‒ notify Intelligence Services

Question 25

Explosions - Officer in Charge - Upon receiving information of an explosion SHALL comply with

Answer 25

item 17.

Upon receiving information of a suspicious package/device SHALL
 ensure a supervisory officer and sufficient personnel are available to attend the scene
 ensure compliance with Procedures 08–03 and 08–04, if applicable

Question 26

Definitions - Incident Commander

Answer 26

means the police officer who has taken charge of the incident and who is in charge at the Command Post and, in conjunction with other emergency services commanders, is responsible for coordinating and managing police response at an incident.

Question 27

Definitions - Incident Management System (IMS)

Answer 27

means the model of police on–site response to emergencies and disasters based on the Incident Command System, adopted by the Province of Ontario. The IMS provides the functional infrastructure necessary for the appropriate and efficient use of police resources.

Question 28

Definitions - Police Explosive Technician

Answer 28

means any police officer who has completed the appropriate training as approved by the Chief of Police to maintain the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities to perform their work.