What You Can Do When There Is a Bomb Threat

Bomb threats are rare, but should always be taken seriously. How quickly and safely you react to a bomb threat could save lives, including your own. What should you do?

  1. Remain calm.
  2. Call 9-1-1 immediately and report a bomb threat to local law enforcement providing as much detail as you can.
  3. Follow law enforcement instructions.
  4. Evacuate the area and seek protective cover from the bomb and potential debris—these are the best ways to avoid injury.
  5. Do NOT approach or inspect suspicious items or unattended packages.
  6. Do NOT congregate near the incident scene as onlookers may impede first responders and law enforcement.

Bomb Threat Training Video

It's important to know what steps every day citizens can and should take in the event of a bomb threat. This video, developed by the University of Central Florida, in conjunction with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Office for Bombing Prevention within the National Protection and Programs Directorate's Office of Infrastructure Protection, teaches viewers how to respond in the event they receive a bomb threat.

Download and print the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Bomb Threat Checklist used in this video.

Bomb Threat Procedures and Checklist

Whether the bomb threat is made via phone, handwritten note, email, or other means, the DHS Bomb Threat Procedures and Checklist provides instructions on how to respond to a bomb threat and a comprehensive list of information that will assist law enforcement in a bomb threat investigation.

DHS-DOJ Bomb Threat Guidance

Top half of the DHS-DOJ Bomb Threat Guidance Brochure

Developed in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-Department of Justice (DOJ) Bomb Threat Guidance is a quick reference guide that provides site decision-makers with pre-threat preparation, threat assessment considerations, staff response guidelines, and evacuation and shelter-in-place considerations.

Products for State and Local Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Private Sector Security

If you have an official role in planning for or responding to bomb threats, the following specialized programs, products, and information may be useful to you:

Bomb Prevention Planning

The Department offers planning resources and workshops to help jurisdictions understand the IED risk and how to incorporate effective counter-IED risk mitigation practices into preparedness planning. Our guides and programs assist with collectively identifying roles, responsibilities, capability gaps, and how to optimize limited resources within a planning area.

Bomb Prevention Training

DHS provides a variety of counter-improvised explosive device (IED) trainings and develops counter-IED products for law enforcement, first responders, and the private sector to to enhance the security and resilience of the Nation.

OBP also maintains catalogs of counter-IED preparedness training and education resources that are provided directly by the federal government or are federally sponsored. These catalogs are available for both private sector and State, local, tribal, and territorial partners:

TRIPwire

The Technical Resource for Incident Prevention (TRIPwire) is the Department of Homeland Security’s 24/7 online, collaborative information-sharing and resource portal for evolving IED tactics, techniques, and procedures, as well as lessons learned, for:

  • Bomb squads
  • First responders
  • Military personnel
  • Government officials
  • Intelligence analysts
  • Private sector security professionals

Contact Information

Please contact your local Protective Security Advisor (PSA) or send an e-mail to the Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) at OBP@hq.dhs.gov for additional information about OBP products and programs, or to schedule a training session or a planning workshop.

Informed, alert communities play a critical role in keeping our nation safe. Everyone has a responsibility to protect our nation—"If You See Something, Say SomethingTM."

To report suspicious activity, call 9-1-1 or contact local law enforcement.

Last Published Date: June 20, 2016

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