Bomb Threat

If you receive a bomb threat, it’s important to remain calm. Do not try to assess whether it’s a genuine threat or a hoax. Always assume it’s genuine. Even if the caller says it’s a joke, notify Security.

• Be polite and courteous
• Do not interrupt the caller and stay on the line
• Try to get as much information as possible:
  • Location of the bomb
  • When it will explode
  • Why they placed the bomb in the building
  • The type of bomb
• Note the number they are calling from
• Note what you can about the caller:
  • Sex
  • Accent
  • How they speak
  • Background noise
  • Any other useful details.
• Call Security to report the situation
• Print and fill out the bomb threat form (pdf)

Bomb threat by email

If you receive a bomb threat by email, notify Security. Do not delete the message.

Bomb threat

In the event of a bomb threat:

• all meetings and other activities must stop immediately.
• Everyone in the building must return to their own workplace so an inspection can be carried out.

Special instructions for Building 26 (National Experimental Biology Laboratory)

• Ask all staff who work in confinement zones to leave but do not create panic.
• Close containers of infectious material and lock animals in their cages.
• Leave the confinement area calmly following standard procedure.

Visual inspection

When you enter a room:

• Listen for unusual or suspicious noises.
• Conduct a thorough visual inspection:
  • Look around the entire room at ground level
  • Look around the entire room at waist level
  • Look around the entire room at eye level
  • Look at the ceiling to check for:
    • Ceiling tiles out of place
    • Light fixtures out of place
    • A/C or heating vents out of place
    • Finger marks
    • Damage
• Once you’ve completed the visual inspection, inspect the room more thoroughly.

Work calmly and methodically so you don’t skip any parts of the room.

If you find a suspicious object

See the procedure for suspicious packages.

If you don’t find anything suspicious

Remain on site and wait for instructions from Security.

If the bomb explodes

• See the procedure for suspicious packages;
• Call 911;
• If you call 911 directly, it is important to call Security at your research centre afterward to ensure emergency responders are directed to the right place and to get help quickly.