Procedure 803-Bomb Incidents (Exclude matrix) Flashcards
.01 INTRODUCTION
A. This procedure establishes guidelines for police responses to bomb threats, suspicious packages and possible
explosive devices by assigning responsibilities to units who receive threat calls and to patrol officers who are initial
responders to the scenes of bomb related calls.
B. When an actual or suspected explosive device is located, the call is reclassified as a critical incident and handled in
accordance with GM Procedure 802, Unusual Occurrences and Critical Incidents.
C. Personnel who are not trained to Bomb Squad standards and specifically authorized to handle explosives shall not
remove, attempt to move, disarm, or attempt to disarm any explosive device (actual or suspected). Officers are
encouraged to request the Bomb Squad respond to the scene when any doubt exists as to the need.
D. Bomb Squad personnel can be contacted by calling directly to the office or more efficiently and timely through the
Communications Unit.
.02 TERMINOLOGY (For specific use within this procedure, see Glossary)
Bomb ThreatExtortion
Detonation Homicide Bomber
Explosive DeviceSuicide Bomber
.03 BOMB THREAT CALLS
A. Any member of any unit receiving a bomb threat call will attempt to have someone nearby contact the
Communications Unit by land line only to initiate appropriate actions. If there is no one to assist, he shall
immediately notify the Communications Unit.
B. Any member of any unit receiving a call or being notified in any other manner of a bomb threat shall attempt to
ascertain as many details as possible from the caller. Details should include, if possible, at a minimum:
1. Location of bomb;
2. Precise time bomb is set to detonate;
3. Reason bomb was planted; and
4. Any other information or details that could help locate the bomb or persons responsible for planting the bomb.
.04 UNIT and OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Communications Unit Responsibilities:
1. Communications Unit personnel, upon receipt of a bomb threat, dispatch uniformed officers, including a
supervisory officer, to the scene of the bomb threat.
2. Find out from the person who received the call the exact words used in the threat so the threat can be evaluated.General Manual Procedures – Section 800Emergency Operations Page 2 of 9 Effective Date:July 31, 2010
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Procedure 803 – Bomb Incidents
3. The Bomb Squad is notified of the bomb threat and placed on stand-by.
4. The Bomb Squad will determine if the Fire Department’s Arson Investigator is notified. Arson Investigators
will not respond to Threat Calls that deal with suspected devices, such as unclaimed packages and briefcases
until the SAPD Bomb Squad determines the need for a follow up investigation. Arson conducts the follow-up
investigations for hoax devices and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). The Property Crimes Detail, for that
particular service area, conducts the follow-up investigations for bomb threat calls only.
5. The Homicide Unit is notified if the bomb threat involves extortion.
6. The Communications Unit supervisor monitors the bomb threat call through to completion.
B. Initial Responders Responsibilities:
1. Ensure radio transmitters at the scene are not keyed under any circumstances (although radios may be left on for
monitoring purposes) and establish the location of a telephone for all communications purposes.
2. Cellular phones and vehicle laptop computers shall not be used within three hundred (300) feet of the scene.
Note: Cellular phones and all laptop computers, due to the radio magnetic waves created, are prohibited and
must be turned off! This includes all by-standers.
3. Communication should be by hard-line telephone, if possible.
a. If it is necessary to use a radio, cellular phone, or laptop computers move at least three hundred (300) feet
from the scene.
b. As an alternative, prior to transmitting, position yourself so there is some type of cover between you and
the device.
4. Contact the reporting person, if other than the Communications Unit dispatcher, to ascertain the nature of the
situation, the location of the device (if known), the particulars of the call (if applicable), and the identity of the
party responsible for control of the premises.
C. Supervisory Officer Responsibilities:
1. Respond to the scene and assume command of the situation;
a. Establish a command post and check the immediate area around it for possible explosive devices.
b. Ensure all personnel responding check-in prior to entering the premises.
2. Summon sufficient personnel as needed for perimeter control and point control for the direction and control of
traffic, crowd and media;
3. Advise the owner/person in charge of the facility it is their decision as to whether or not a search or sweep is
conducted. Assistance may be provided by the Police, if so requested.
4. Coordinate police response and render the decision when to conclude operations.
.05 BOMB THREAT SEARCHES AND EVACUATIONS
A. Searching
1. The Sergeant will confer with the owner/person in charge of the premises regarding any search, and will
determine on a case-by-case basis if officers will assist in the search, and if so, how assistance can be rendered.General Manual Procedures – Section 800Emergency Operations Page 3 of 9 Effective Date:July 31, 2010
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Procedure 803 – Bomb Incidents
2. Police will advise the owner/ person in charge of safety considerations.
a. No radio or cellular phone transmissions.
b. Do not touch any suspicious items.
c. Contact police immediately if any suspicious items are located.
d. Have the employees take their personal items (purses, backpacks, briefcases, etc.), if an evacuation is
conducted. Also, have the employees check their work areas as they evacuate to see if anything unusual is
present.
e. The Bomb Squad will conduct a search of the location, if requested by the officer at the scene or by the
owner/person in charge of the premises.
B. Evacuation
1. If the owner/person in charge decides to evacuate the area, the minimum safe distance is at least three hundred
(300) feet. Ensure the evacuation is performed orderly and quickly.
2. If there was a time given for the bomb to explode, it is a good practice to evacuate the scene as soon as
reasonably possible before the threatened explosion. After the search has been completed, the persons
evacuated should not be allowed back into the location for at least one hour after the threatened detonation.
3. Ensure the employer can account for all employees by suggesting an employee and customer assembly point.
.06 FOUND EXPLOSIVE DEVICES
A. Communication Unit Responsibilities
1. The Communications Unit shall immediately request the Bomb Squad to proceed to the scene.
2. The Communications Unit supervisor will monitor the call through to completion.
B. Initial Responders Responsibilities
1. Contact the reporting party and determine where the suspicious package or suspected explosive device is
located.
2. Leave your radio on, but do not transmit from it within three hundred (300) feet. Monitor the radio for possible
information or instructions.
3. If the officer has seen the suspicious item, give the information of what you saw to the Bomb Squad when they
arrive.
4. Immediately notify your supervisor and the Bomb Squad.
5. Set up a perimeter around the suspect item by blocking pedestrian and vehicular traffic from entering the area
where the suspect item is located.
6. Evacuate the immediate area around the suspect device to a minimum distance of three hundred (300) feet.
a. If the location is a multiple floor building, evacuate the floor the bomb is on, the floor above and the floor
below.General Manual Procedures – Section 800Emergency Operations Page 4 of 9 Effective Date:July 31, 2010
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Procedure 803 – Bomb Incidents
b. Generally, if the bomb is larger than a shoebox, evacuate additional floors and consider evacuating the
entire building.
c. Officers should take advantage of natural protective barriers.
7. Check the area for secondary devices and if a command post is going to be set up, check this area for secondary
devices.
8. Provide the Bomb Squad personnel with all available information upon their arrival.
a. If possible, make a sketch of the floor plan around the device. Include any special circumstances such as
hazardous materials.
b. Attempt to locate keys for all spaces in the facility affected.
9. Once the perimeter is secure, utilize cover until the arrival of the Bomb Squad.
10. The Bomb squad will set up a separate command post to more effectively deal with the bomb call. This area
will become a restricted area for Bomb Squad personnel only, to allow them the room to set up the necessary
equipment and prep for any actions dealing with the bomb call.
C. Supervisory Officer Responsibility
1. Upon arrival, assume command of the situation until the arrival of a higher ranking officer.
2. Determine if enough officers are on scene to assist handling the call (crowd/vehicular control, evacuations, etc.)
3. Ensure all police personnel are accounted for and are in a safe position.
4. Determine if the Bomb Squad has been notified.
5. Determine if command notification needs to be made.
6. Establish a command post to maintain control of the situation.
7. Determine when to conclude operations and return personnel to service.
.07 SUICIDE BOMBERS
A. Overview: In most situations, officers will respond to a suicide bomber in a post-blast capacity. But there may be
times when the officer will have to deal with a suicide bomber who may have been encountered prior to setting up
for an attack, the suicide bomber may have tried to detonate the explosives he is wearing and it failed to detonate,
the suicide bomber may be set up to conduct the attack and now has a change of heart. Although these incidents will
be very rare, they are possible and the officer who comes in contact with these individuals will need to handle the
situation. The following is a guideline for dealing with these circumstances and is not the only way to handle these
types of situations.
B. Communications Unit Responsibilities
1. Dispatch at least two officers and a supervisor to the scene of a suspected suicide bomber.
2. Ensure the Bomb Squad has been notified and is placed on stand-by.
3. The Communications Unit supervisor shall be notified of the call.General Manual Procedures – Section 800Emergency Operations Page 5 of 9 Effective Date:July 31, 2010
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Procedure 803 – Bomb Incidents
C. Initial Responders Responsibilities
1. Upon arrival at the scene of a possible suicide bomber, officers should obtain as much information as possible
to help determine if the suspect is indeed a suicide bomber.
2. Have the Communications Unit contact the Bomb Squad and start them to the location of the suspect suicide
bomber.
3. When responding to person(s) attached to improvised explosive device(s), officers should:
a. Control the person so they cannot intentionally or accidentally detonate the device;
b. Order the person to stand still and make no movement at all.
4. Do not close distance to negotiate with the suspect. Utilize cover and shielding as safety measures.
5. Designate “one” person to give commands to the suspect to avoid confusion from multiple officers giving the
suspect confusing commands.
6. Direct officers to the scene and set up a perimeter around the suspect. Utilize patrol rifles, if they are available.
7. Evacuate the area of all non-essential personnel and prevent re-entry.
8. If the suspect is compliant;
a. Have the suspect show you his hands.
b. Have the suspect remove the explosive device and step away from it.
c. Have the suspect remove his clothes and turn three hundred sixty (360) degrees to ensure that the suspect
does not have any other explosives on his body.
d. Once the officer is confident there are no other explosives on the suspect, direct the suspect to officers on
the perimeter so the suspect can be taken into custody.
e. Maintain perimeter security and do not approach the explosive device until the Bomb Squad has arrived
and determined the area is safe.
9. If the person fails to obey verbal commands and the officer reasonably believes the actions of the person create
a threat of physical harm to another person, including the officer, the officer may use the necessary force he
deems reasonable under the circumstance to protect themselves and others.
D. Supervisory Officer Responsibility
1. Upon arrival at the scene, assume command of the situation, until the arrival of a higher ranking officer.
2. Determine if there are enough officers on the scene to secure the perimeter. Call for officers who are assigned
rifles and position them on the perimeter to help contain the suspect.
3. Ensure non-essential personnel have been evacuated from the area and they are prevented from re-entering the
area.
4. Ensure the Bomb squad has been notified and are enroute to the scene.General Manual Procedures – Section 800Emergency Operations Page 6 of 9 Effective Date:July 31, 2010
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Procedure 803 – Bomb Incidents
5. Ensure proper notifications have been made and ascertain whether or not the EOC should be alerted and put on
stand-by.
6. In all cases the Fire Department will be notified and will send at least one truck and one EMS Unit to the scene.
Assign an officer as security for the Fire Department in case there is an attack made against them.
7. Ensure officers on the perimeter are aware of possible attacks on them and are vigilant of not only the suspect
suicide bomber, but of accomplices in the crowd.
8. Take whatever other measures necessary to contain the situation and keep the officers and public safe.
9. If media helicopters are present, contact the Helicopter Detail and have them contact the FAA tower and secure
the air space over the situation. An explosive device can send pieces of fragmentation over large areas and
cause damage to the helicopters.
10. Determine when to conclude activities and return officers to service.
.08 ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
A. Post-blast
1. It is recommended officers do not enter the scene of a post-blast scene until it has been cleared by the Bomb
Squad.
2. If there are people inside of the post-blast scene, officers should only enter to conduct emergency life saving
actions.
3. If entering the scene officers should be aware of possible secondary devices and possible unexploded ordnance,
due to a low-order of the explosive device.
4. Officers should consider the utilization of their assigned Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) whenever there
are injuries related to a post-blast scene. The possibility of blood and body parts spread over the area, will
present a biological hazard to everyone entering the scene. The PPE boots, gloves and mask should be
considered as a minimum of protection.
.09 SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES (POSSIBLE CHEMICAL/BIOLOGICAL WEAPON)
A. Be alert for indicators of chemical and/or biological agents.
B. Have the Dispatcher notify the Bomb Squad immediately and Bomb Squad will notify other necessary agencies.
C. Identify potential victims who were exposed to the package or suspected substance and hold at the scene for possible
decontamination.
D. Use your PPE, especially your respiratory protection.
.10 DANGEROUS WAR SOUVENIRS and EXPLOSIVES
A. If a Police Officer discovers an explosive device, the officer shall follow Section .06.
B. Whenever citizens turn over any war souvenirs, live ammunition, dynamite, percussion caps, fuses, or other
explosives and devices to an officer, the officer shall:
1. Advise the citizens they are relinquishing all property rights to the items surrendered, so as to prevent requests
for the Department to deactivate and return souvenirs.General Manual Procedures – Section 800Emergency Operations Page 7 of 9 Effective Date:July 31, 2010
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Procedure 803 – Bomb Incidents
2. Consider each item as potentially dangerous. Do not handle any explosive devices found.
3. Make an inquiry as to whether anyone has attempted to deactivate the device, and forward this information to
the Bomb Squad upon arrival.
C. If a citizen brings an explosive device to a police facility, officers shall:
1. Leave police radios on, but do not transmit from them.
2. If the item is a war souvenir, it is safer to get the item outside and limit access to it until the Bomb Squad
arrives. An alternative is to evacuate the building and wait for Bomb Squad to respond.
3. If an item appears to be a bomb or is suspicious, immediately evacuate the building.
4. Notify the Communications Unit from a phone line to have the Bomb Squad respond to the scene.
5. Command of the incident is performed in accordance with Section .06 C.General Manual Procedures – Section 800Emergency Operations Page 8 of 9 Effective Date:July 31, 2010
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Procedure 803 – Bomb Incidents
.11 IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE (IED) SAFE STANDOFF DISTANCE CHEAT SHEET
The diagram below shows the recommended evacuation distances for potential explosive devices based on the size of the
package or vehicle.
Threat Description
Explosives
Mass
(TNT
equivalent)
Distance *1
Building
Evacuation
Distance *2
Outdoor
Evacuation
Distance *3
Pipe Bomb 5 lbs
2.3 kg
70 ft
21 m
850 ft
259 m
Suicide Belt 10 lbs
4.5 kg
90 ft
27 m
1,080 ft
330 m
Suicide Vest 20 lbs
9 kg
110 ft
34 m
1,360 ft
415 m
Briefcase/Suitcase Bomb 50 lbs
23 kg
150 ft
46 m
1,850 ft
564 m
Compact Sedan 500 lbs
227 kg
320 ft
98 m
1,500 ft
457 m
Sedan 1,000 lbs
454 kg
400 ft
122 m
1,750 ft
534 m
Passenger/Cargo Van 4,000 lbs
1,814 kg
640 ft
195 m
2,750 ft
838 m
Small Moving Van/ Delivery Truck 10,000 lbs
4,536 kg
860 ft
263 m
3,750 ft
1,143 m
Moving Van/Water Truck 30,000 lbs
13,608 kg
1,240 ft
375 m
6,500 ft
1,982 m
High Explosives (TNT Equivalent)
Semitrailer 60,000 lbs
27,216 kg
1,570 ft
475 m
7,000 ft
2,134 mGeneral Manual Procedures – Section 800Emergency Operations Page 9 of 9 Effective Date:July 31, 2010
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Procedure 803 – Bomb Incidents
Threat Description LPG Mass/Volume *1 Fireball
Diameter *4
Safe Distance
*5
Small LPG Tank 20 lbs/5 gal
9 kg/19 l
40 ft
12 m
160 ft
48 m
Large LPG Tank 100 lbs/25 gal
45 kg/95 l
69 ft
21 m
276 ft
84 m
Commercial/Residential LPG
Tank
2,000 lbs/500 gal
907 kg/1,893 l
184 ft
56 m
736 ft
224 m
Small LPG Truck 8,000 lbs/2,000 gal
3,630 kg/7,570 l
292 ft
89 m
1,168 ft
356 m
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG – Butane or Propane)
Semitanker LPG 40,000 lbs/10,000 gal
18,144 kg/37,850 l
499 ft
152 m
1,996 ft
608 m
*1. Based on the maximum amount of material that could reasonably fit into a container or vehicle. Variations possible.
*2. Governed by the ability of an unreinforced building to withstand severe damage or collapse.
*3. Governed by the greater of fragment throw distance or glass breakage/falling glass hazard distance. These distances can be
reduced for personnel wearing ballistic protection. Note that the pipe bomb, suicide belt/vest, and briefcase/suitcase bomb are
assumed to have a fragmentation characteristic that requires greater standoff distances than an equal amount of explosives in a
vehicle.
*4. Assuming efficient mixing of the flammable gas with ambient air.
*5. Determined by U.S. firefighting practices wherein safe distances are approximately 4 times the flame height. Note that an LPG
tank filled with high explosives would require a significantly greater standoff distance than if it were filled with LPG.
General Manual Procedures – Section 800Emergency Operations Page 1 of 9 Effective Date:July 31, 2010 San Antonio Police Department GENERAL MANUAL Procedure 803 – Bomb Incidents Office with Primary Responsibility: TSC Effective Date: Prior Revision Date: July 31, 2010 October 01, 2009 Office(s) with Secondary Responsibilities: PSC, PNC, FTC, IDC, SSO Number of Pages: 9 Forms Referenced in Procedure: None Related Procedures: 802
