3.520 Bomb Threats – Located Explosive Devices - Detonations Flashcards
What is a suspicious item
Any item (package, luggage, vehicle, etc.) identified as potentially containing chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive material that requires specialized equipment and training to further evaluate. Suspicious indicators are based upon the prevailing and/or communicated threat, placement and proximity of the item(s) to people and valuable assets, and more tangible aspects including but not limited to; unexplainable wires or electronics, other visible IED components; unusual sounds, vapors, mists, powders, liquids, odors, etc.
What is an unattended item?
Any item (package, luggage, vehicle) that does not outwardly present itself as suspicious or threatening in nature; cannot be associated with a communicated threat; is not positioned to avoid observation and/or detection where people congregate; and critical assets are present. The owner may not be readily determined or located; however, there is usually a plausible explanation as to why the item was left unattended (e.g., a toy where children may have recently played, a briefcase or small backpack in a toilet facility or, a piece of luggage at a transportation venue in a non-high traffic pedestrian area).
What are the purpose of 25 and 100 foot searches
To protect first responders from any possible devices that may be placed to injure, maim, and kill them upon arrival. These searches should be conducted from low-to-high in a 360-degree manner around the “safe area.”
When should 25 and 100 foot searches be done
When responding to a bomb threat, unattended item, or suspicious item, officers should conduct 25- and 100-foot searches.
Upon arrival officers should do a visual search of 25 feet around their initial arrival location;
After the initial 25-foot search, a 100-foot search should be conducted;
If a new location is established for a command post, the 25- and 100-foot searches will be conducted again. The use of an EDD should be utilized if available.
What are the steps for a patrol officer responding to a bomb threat?
Perform an initial threat assessment.
Respond to the scene and confer with the senior representative or key employee of the establishment. The representative must make the following decisions: whether to conduct a search (using establishment personnel); whether to evacuate during a search;
if further action should be taken if no device or suspected device is found; and if the area is safe or free of explosives. LVMPD personnel will not make these decisions or judgments.
On any specific threat where the representative of an establishment is willing to evacuate the premises and conduct a search, the explosive detection dog (EDD) can be deployed to provide a more comprehensive search
Take an Incident Crime Report (ICR) and, if appropriate, complete a brief Officer’s Report.
On nonspecific bomb threats such as: A victim is difficult to identify in a bomb threat against a location (e.g., “A bomb will blow up at the southwest corner of Spring Mountain and Las Vegas Boulevard in 15 minutes”). In those cases, the responding officer will take an ICR explaining the incident and action taken if the report may be of future value to investigators.
What information is contained in a 5-line report? (Bomb Threats)
- Specific location of the suspect item: This will help determine the command post (CP), route to staging, and assist in establishing a good perimeter.
- Unit number/cell number of officer or patrol supervisor on scene: the ARMOR commander will need to contact the officer on scene to gather intelligence prior to dispatching resources.
- Detailed description of item, photo (if available), and placement method: size, shape, container, was it thrown, placed, projected, etc.
- Description of what resources, person(s) or critical infrastructure is threatened: Utility facility (water, power, gas, etc.), crowds, etc.
- Protective measures taken: Perimeter, CP location, staging area, all actions taken.
What are patrol officer response steps to a specific bomb threat?
Respond to the scene and conduct preliminary investigation.
Perform an initial 25-foot search around the arrival area, then a 100-foot search around the ARRIVAL AREA, to include the CP and STAGING AREA.
Establish a perimeter utilizing the FBI Bomb Threat Stand-Off Card (distances should be based on the recommendations of the Threat Description section on the card).
Search the area around the CP for secondary devices.
Gather and control witnesses as well as start voluntary statements.
What are field supervisor response steps to a specific bomb threat?
Respond to and assume command of the scene. The field supervisor or senior officer in charge will remain at the scene to brief the ARMOR supervisor of all relevant matters. Establish Incident Command System (ICS)
Contact the ARMOR supervisor through Communications supervisor.
When requesting ARMOR, advise a responsible person from the establishment of the potential for explosion and initiate an evacuation of the premises. At least two floors above and below the device should be evacuated in a high-rise building.
Failure to respond to an evacuation order is a violation of NRS 475.070.
If a person is not readily available or able to easily be evacuated and is not in harm’s way based on the information of the threat and is outside the mandatory evacuation zone listed on the FBI Bomb Threat Stand-Off Card, the person may shelter in place. However, if they are in the mandatory evacuation zone, they must be evacuated to safety.
Assign an additional officer to the primary location (see Command and Control section) to assist in communications.
Remain at scene with the additional officer to assist ARMOR and prevent unauthorized access to the location of the device.
What are patrol officer response steps to a report of detonation?
Respond to the scene and provide any emergency assistance as required.
Conduct preliminary investigation.
Establish, at a minimum, 300-foot perimeter from any item that they can visually identify as evidence.
Conduct 25-foot and 100-foot searches around the perimeter for secondary devices.
Search CP for secondary devices.
Gather and control witnesses and complete voluntary statements.
Complete ICR
What are field supervisor response steps to report of detonation?
Contact the ARMOR supervisor through Communications supervisor.
Coordinate with ARMOR for instructions regarding adjustment of the perimeter and other scene control concerns.
Determine the appropriate support personnel needed for security of the scene.
Maintain the perimeter until released by the ranking member of ARMOR, or the investigator functioning as liaison for ARMOR.
Determine the need for an EDD to search for a second device (this request can come from ARMOR).
