Bomb Threat & Explosive Device Handling

Purpose of Order

• Order Number 432.0 provides guidelines for handling bomb threats, explosive, and incendiary device incidents.

Policy

• Handle all incidents involving explosions or incendiary devices as safely as possible.
• Preserving human life takes priority, followed by property.

Definitions

• Bomb Disposal Team: Trained personnel for handling and disposing of explosives/suspected items.
• Bomb Transport Vehicle: A vehicle specifically for transporting explosive material.
• Detonation/Explosion: Instantaneous combustion of fuel and oxidizer, creating high heat, loud noise, energy release, and fragmentation.
• Disposal: Safe decomposition of explosives, incendiary materials, chemicals, and detonating devices via controlled detonation.
• Explosive Detection K-9 Team: Canine (EDC) and handler trained for explosive ordinance detection.
• Explosive Device: Any item suspected of or containing explosive/incendiary filler.
• Explosives: Chemical compounds/mixtures/devices designed to explode, including dynamite and nitroglycerin.
• Explosives also include trinitrotoluene (TNT), homemade explosives, plastics, black powder, pellet powder, initiating explosives (e.g. RDX/PETN), detonators, safety fuse, squibs, detonating cord, and igniters.
• Excludes cartridges for firearms/fireworks defined in F.S.S. 790 and 791.
• Explosive Material: Explosives, blasting agents, detonators, and dangerous chemicals.
• Hoax Bomb: Device/object appearing to be (or contain) destructive device/explosive but is inoperative/imitation, or contains no destructive device/explosive.
• Mandatory Evacuation Distance: Area personnel must proceed from to the Preferred Evacuation Distance, outlined in appendix 432.0a.
• Personal Communication Devices: Cell phones, pagers, personal e-mail devices, personal digital assistants, smart phones, "tablet" style computers and other similar devices.
• Preferred Evacuation Distance: Distance from the suspected explosive device or incident believed to be safe, outlined in policy annex 432.0a.
• Safe Area: Searched area where personnel are reasonably safe if a detonation occurs.
• Safe Area minimum distance is 1,000 feet; adjust using policy annex 432.0a.
• Sheriff's Office personnel/public should use Preferred Evacuation Distance if possible; Sheriff's Office personnel will evacuate to the Mandatory Evacuation Distance.
• The safe area should not be in line of sight, upwind, and provide frontal/overhead cover from debris.
• Shelter-in-Place Zone: Area where personnel should move to the Preferred Evacuation Distance.
• Shelter-in-Place Zone: personnel can seek shelter inside a building away from windows, doors, and exterior walls.
• Suspect Item: Material with explosive/incendiary potential, including homemade bombs, military ordnance, and explosive/incendiary chemicals.
• Unattended Item: Object found with no sign/written/verbal threat present.

Procedures - General

• Bomb threats, improvised explosive, and incendiary device incidents are thoroughly investigated and documented.
• Only incident commander-authorized personnel conduct bomb searches of vehicles, vessels, and aircraft.
• Policy annex 432.0a (Bomb Threat Stand-Off Card) and 432.0b (Bomb Threats/Hazardous Device Incidents Checklist) are used for incident tactics, Safe Areas, and Evacuation Distances.

Procedures - Bomb Threat (Device Not Located)

• Communications Section Responsibilities: A communication line will maintained to obtain information and comply with tactical dispatch plans.
• Communications Section personnel will attempt to obtain target information, how the threat was received, device location/type/size/detonation time, caller information, threatened person's information, deputy contact information, and what action has been taken.
• The Communications Section member will dispatch a deputy and inform the sergeant of the call.
• The Communications Section member will confirm with the sergeant, if Fire Rescue shall be notified of the incident and requested to respond and stage.
• The Communications Section supervisor is responsible for notifying investigators/support personnel, designating a tactical radio frequency, and using the landline telephone for on-scene communications during radio silence.
• Patrol Division Responsibilities: Deputies will be cautious of secondary devices and proceed safely/rapidly.
• Patrol Division Responsibilities: An On-Duty Explosive Detection K-9 Team will be requested; if unavailable, platoon lieutenants determine if a team needs to be called out.
• Unless exigent circumstances necessitate their use deputies will turn off radio/digital equipment within 1,000 feet of the scene, and use regular telephone/face-to-face communication.
• The investigator will interview the person who received the threat and advise on potential hazards.
• Decision to search, close businesses, or evacuate personnel is left to business owners/managers, unless a device is found; evacuation decisions for schools/government offices are made by the ranking administrator.
• Incident Commander may order mandatory evacuation of an immediate threat exists.
• Deputies will secure the scene, establish a 1,000-foot security perimeter and adjust it per policy annex 432.0a, and coordinate search effort.
• Suggestions should be offered to assist management in implementing search procedures per {CFA 17.07}.
• If a search is conducted establish a command post in a secure area that has been cleared for secondary explosives.
• Search team members must be informed of the command post location.
• Supervisory/custodial staff should be solicited to assist in the search due to familiarity with the location.
• Searchers should work in pairs, cover the exterior/interior, use flashlights/mirrors, and not disturb objects.
• If a suspicious object is found, the area will be evacuated and the incident commander notified.
• If the threat included a device location, check there first; if not indicated, follow search order in policy annex {CFA 17.07}: Areas of suspicion, building exterior, public access areas, stairwells, engineering spaces, and normally occupied areas the least likely compromised.
• Begin evacuation of the area immediately if a detonation time was included in the threat.

Procedures - Bomb Threat (Device Located)

• The Communications Section attempts to obtain information to help the Incident Commander to determine incident risk potential based on the following criteria: no immediate hazard to persons/property, potential hazard to structures/property, and potential hazard to human life.
• The operator dispatches a deputy and informs the sergeant of the call.
• When the deputy confirms a device has been found, the Communications Section supervisor will notify Fire Rescue, and request a bomb disposal team from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office or Patrick A.F.B.
• The Patrol Division Captain and staff members will be notified.
• The first deputy on the scene will interview people with knowledge of the explosive device, evaluate incident risk, request additional personnel, and initially evacuate everyone to a minimum safe distance of 1,000 feet.
• In the event of a device near fuel/chemicals, the Safe Area should be increased above 1,000 feet, with secondary device checks.
• If equipment in use would cause life threatening situation if it were turned off, or if the operator is removed from the location, the operator can volunteer to remain following safety precautions.
• Cordon off the danger area and establish a command post.
• The supervisor will assume incident command, keep Communications Section/platoon lieutenant/incident commander informed, and request support/equipment.
• The Sheriff, Chief Deputy, and command staff will be notified of any uncontrolled explosive device detonation.
• All personnel except bomb team members avoid physical contact, close examination, or moving suspect devices. Only Bomb Disposal Team members and authorized personnel are allowed in the danger area.
• The Incident Commander will brief and facilitate aid requested by the bomb disposal team.

Procedures - Evidence Collection and Explosions

• Evidence collection only begins when the area is deemed safe by a competent authority.
• All evidence collection follows Policy 284.0 (Crime Scene Processing).
• Incendiary/explosive/combustible material collection/processing is only done by trained personnel.
• When a device has exploded, a deputy/supervisor is dispatched to the scene immediately and reports on damage/injuries.
• Fire Rescue is notified.
• Extreme caution must be taken around the blast site.
• Secure the area and limit access to necessary rescue personnel until the bomb disposal team arrives.
• The Incident commander assigns investigative/support personnel to assist the bomb disposal team and the incident commander keeps his chain of command informed.