23 Questions
Who is responsible for ensuring that bomb threat guidelines are followed by all personnel?
Company Officers
What is the first action to be taken when a bomb threat is received by TFS personnel?
Report the threat to the police
What is the purpose of the guidelines for bomb threat incidents?
To provide a framework for the management of incidents involving suspected explosive devices
Who is responsible for establishing communication with the Police during a bomb threat incident?
Incident Commanders
What is the role of the Communications Centre in a bomb threat incident?
To dispatch the necessary units to the scene
What happens when a bomb threat is received by TFS personnel through a fire station telephone?
The threat is reported to the Police immediately
What units are dispatched to the scene of a bomb threat incident?
First Alarm response, Squad, and Hazardous Materials Unit
Who recognizes the authority governing bomb threat incidents?
Toronto Fire Services
What is a consideration for repositioning the TFS Command Post and/or staging area(s)?
Additional information received from Police
What is the role of the TFS Incident Commander in repositioning the Command Post and/or staging area(s)?
To make the decision based on feasibility and safety
What happens to personnel once a threat has been declared a non-threat?
They are cleared from the incident
What is the purpose of assembling pre-plans and other tactical support information?
To maintain on-scene resources
Why should a TFS Hazardous Materials Unit be considered at the scene of a terrorist incident?
To assess the hazardous materials situation
Where should fire suppression apparatus, personnel and other emergency services units report to in response to a bomb threat?
A staging area approximately 150 meters away from the threatened address
What should drivers and officers do when arriving at the staging area?
Position apparatus in areas not typical for staging during responses to the building
What should the first arriving Officer advise the Communications Centre of?
ARRIVAL, confirm the incident address, apparatus location, and IN COMMAND of fire department resources on-scene, and additional resources required
Why should TFS radios and associated equipment not be used within 150 meters of any reported device location?
Because of the risk of detonation caused by radio interference
What is the role of Toronto Fire Services personnel in the evacuation of citizens from buildings or properties?
To wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) including SCBA
What should occur once apparatus are positioned at a bomb threat incident?
The Fire Officer in Charge advises the Communications Centre of the location of the fire apparatus staging area
Who should a TFS Officer report to at the Police Command Post with a portable radio?
The Police Incident Commander
What should the Incident Commander do?
All of the above
What should be considered when developing an operational plan of action for fire suppression units in the event of fire due to a detonation?
Both of the above
When can entry into the affected area or building be attempted by fire personnel?
After the Police Incident Commander has informed the responsible TFS Incident Commander that the situation is under control
Study Notes
Purpose and Responsibility
- The purpose of the guideline is to manage incidents involving suspected explosive devices.
- All Toronto Fire Services (TFS) personnel are responsible for understanding and following bomb threat guidelines.
- Company Officers are responsible for ensuring that bomb threat guidelines are followed by all personnel.
- City of Toronto supervisors are responsible for ensuring that City guidelines are followed during bomb threat scenarios.
- Communications Centre personnel are responsible for keeping Police advised of all information and developments in bomb threat situations.
- Incident Commanders are responsible for establishing communication with Police.
General Guidelines
- TFS recognizes Toronto Police Service (TPS) as the authority governing bomb threat incidents.
- TFS recognizes that all threats to the life and safety of citizens and residents must be responded to in an effective and efficient manner.
Bomb Threats Received by Toronto Fire Services (TFS)
- All bomb threats received by TFS personnel shall be reported immediately to TPS.
- The TFS Communications Centre shall be advised immediately of any bomb threats received by TFS personnel and subsequent actions being taken.
- The Communications Centre shall dispatch the following: First Alarm response, Squad, and Hazardous Materials Unit.
- Responding apparatus shall respond to one of the following: general vicinity of the incident (150 meters away), Police designated staging area, or staging area approximately two blocks from the threatened address.
Responses to Bomb Threats
- Apparatus may be directed by the Communications Centre to respond in non-emergency mode (no emergency lights or sirens) at the request of Police.
- When responding at the request of Police, apparatus shall report to a location at least 150 m away from the location and establish a staging area for fire suppression apparatus, personnel, and other emergency services units.
- Drivers and Officers arriving aboard apparatus should position apparatus in areas not typical for staging during responses to the building in question.
- The first arriving Officer shall advise the Communications Centre of the following: ARRIVAL, incident address, apparatus location, IN COMMAND, and any changes to the location(s) of designated staging areas.
- TFS radios and associated equipment should not be used within 150 meters of any reported device location as radio interference has the potential to cause a detonation.
- TFS personnel may be involved in the evacuation of citizens from buildings or properties, but shall not be involved in search and discovery of a suspected bomb or explosive device.
Incident Command and Operations
- Once apparatus are positioned at a bomb threat incident, the following shall occur: Fire Officer in Charge shall advise the Communications Centre of the location of the fire apparatus staging area, and TFS Communications Centre shall notify Toronto Police of the fire vehicle staging area.
- Communication with the Police shall be established through each department's respective Communications Centre.
- Entry into the affected area or building to perform fire suppression or rescue shall not be attempted by fire personnel until the responsible Police Officer in Charge has informed the responsible TFS Incident Commander that the situation is under control.
- A TFS Officer shall be instructed by the Incident Commander to report to the Police Command Post with a portable radio to act as the Liaison Officer.
- The Incident Commander shall report directly to the Police Incident Commander, assume command of all fire suppression units and their operations, and provide the Police Incident Commander with an operational plan of action for fire suppression units in the event of fire due to a detonation.
- The Incident Commander shall evaluate on-scene resources and determine additional needs based on the developed operational plan.
- The Incident Commander shall designate a “TFS Base Sector” to assist maintaining on-scene resources.
- Repositioning of the TFS Command Post and/or staging area(s) should be considered at any time based on feasibility, safety of personnel, proximity of apparatus, response capability, and additional information received from Police.
- Personnel shall remain in stand-by mode as per TFS operating guidelines dictate.
- Once a threat has been declared a non-threat by the Police Officer in charge, all responding and staged apparatus and personnel shall be cleared from the incident.
Guidelines for Toronto Fire Services personnel on managing incidents involving suspected explosive devices. Covers responsibilities and procedures for bomb threats.
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