What to Do - Bomb Threat

The guidance below outlines in-depth procedures for responding to receiving a bomb threat and finding a suspicious item. Read on and utilize these resources to prepare yourself so you can react appropriately during such events.

If you receive a bomb threat...

A person walking away from a suspicious bag

Bomb threats are most commonly received via phone, but are also made in person, via email, written note, or other means. Every bomb threat is unique and should be handled in the context of the facility or environment in which it occurs. Facility supervisors and law enforcement will be in the best position to determine the credibility of the threat. Follow these procedures:

Remain calm.
Notify authorities immediately:
- Notify your facility supervisor, such as a manager, operator, or administrator, or follow your facility's standard operating procedure. (See below for assistance with developing a plan for your facility or location.)
- Call 9-1-1 or your local law enforcement if no facility supervisor is available.
Refer to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Bomb Threat Checklist for guidance, if available.
For threats made via phone:
- Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Be polite and show interest to keep them talking.
- DO NOT HANG UP, even if the caller does.
- If possible, signal or pass a note to other staff to listen and help notify authorities.
- Write down as much information as possible—caller ID number, exact wording of threat, type of voice or behavior, etc.—that will aid investigators.
- Record the call, if possible.
For threats made in person, via email, or via written note, refer to the DHS Bomb Threat Checklist and DHS-Department of Justice (DOJ) Bomb Threat Guidance for more information.
Be available for interviews with facility supervisors and/or law enforcement.
Follow authorities’ instructions. Facility supervisors and/or law enforcement will assess the situation and provide guidance regarding facility lock-down, search, and/or evacuation.

Watch the Bomb Threat Training Video below and refer to the DHS-DOJ Bomb Threat Guidance for more information.

If you find a suspicious item...

Together we can help keep our communities safe—if you see something that is suspicious, out of place, or doesn't look right, say something. (Find out more about the "If You See Something, Say Something®" campaign.) A suspicious item is any item (e.g., bag, package, vehicle, etc.) that is reasonably believed to contain explosives, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), or other hazardous material that requires a bomb technician and/or specialized equipment to further evaluate it. Examples that could indicate a bomb include unexplainable wires or electronics, other visible bomb-like components, and unusual sounds, vapors, mists, or odors. Generally speaking, anything that is Hidden, Obviously suspicious, and not Typical (HOT) should be deemed suspicious. In addition, potential indicators for a bomb are threats, placement, and proximity of the item to people and valuable assets.

For more information on recognizing suspicious items, reference the Unattended vs. Suspicious Item Postcard and Poster, and view the video "What to Do: Suspicious or Unattended Item."

You may encounter a suspicious item unexpectedly or while conducting a search as part of your facility's or employer’s Bomb Threat Response Plan. If it appears to be a suspicious item, follow these procedures:

Remain calm.
Do NOT touch, tamper with, or move the package, bag, or item.
Notify authorities immediately:
- Notify your facility supervisor, such as a manager, operator, or administrator, or follow your facility's standard operating procedure. (See below for assistance with developing a plan for your facility or location.)
- Call 9-1-1 or your local law enforcement if no facility supervisor is available.
- Explain why it appears suspicious.
Follow instructions. Facility supervisors and/or law enforcement will assess the situation and provide guidance regarding shelter-in-place or evacuation.
If no guidance is provided and you feel you are in immediate danger, calmly evacuate the area. Distance and protective cover are the best ways to reduce injury from a bomb.
Be aware. There could be other threats or suspicious items.

Every situation is unique and should be handled in the context of the facility or environment in which it occurs. Facility supervisors and law enforcement will be in the best position to determine if a real risk is posed and how to respond. Refer to the DHS-DOJ Bomb Threat Guidance for more information.

Have a Plan! - Guidance for Facility Owners, Operators & Managers

Having a plan in advance makes the response to bomb threats, unattended items, or suspicious items as orderly and controlled as possible, reducing risk and the impact of false alarms on regular activities. Facility supervisors—such as school, office, or building managers responsible for the facility—should:

Review the DHS-DOJ Bomb Threat Guidance.
Develop a Bomb Threat Response Plan for their organization or facility. Contact the Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) at OBP@cisa.dhs.gov for more information on planning workshops.
Train employees, tenants, and/or visitors to take appropriate actions in the event of a bomb threat and/or identification of an unattended or suspicious item.

Developed in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the DHS-DOJ Bomb Threat Guidance is a quick reference guide that provides facility supervisors with details on pre-threat preparation, threat assessment, staff response guidelines, and evacuation and shelter-in-place considerations. Download the DHS-DOJ Bomb Threat Guidance for more information.

Bomb Threat Checklist

Whether the bomb threat is made via phone, handwritten note, email, or other means, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Bomb Threat 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.

Print this checklist for your business, organization, or facility to use in case of a bomb threat.

Bomb Threat Training Videos

It's important to know what steps every day citizens can and should take in the event of a bomb threat. The "What to Do: Bomb Threat" 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 (OBP) (within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's (CISA) Infrastructure Security Division (ISD), teaches viewers how to respond in the event they receive a bomb threat.

The "What to Do: Bomb Threat" video, three other videos in the "What to Do" Series, and fact sheet can be accessed below.

What to Do Training Video Series

What to Do Training Series Video Fact Sheet

Mass Bomb Threat Campaigns

Mass bomb threat campaigns are a reminder that bomb threats pose a serious disruption within local communities, as well as to public and private sectors across the United States. They have psychological impact, disrupting lives and creating fear, uncertainty, and sometimes panic. With multiple threats to similar targets, the psychological and operational impact can be increased. They have an operational impact - causing activities to halt, harming commerce, and draining the resources of law enforcement and other first responders. Electronically disseminated mass bomb threats can target specific types of infrastructure on a national level (election polling locations, institutions of higher education, medical facilities, etc.) to enhance the impact and create cascading consequences. Mass bomb threats typically lack specificity or make grand claims (i.e. "there is a bomb in every major city"). Threats are typically sent by email or phone and calls may use an automated voice. Unsubstantiated bomb threats may also create complacency that can lead to increased vulnerability when actual devices are present.

The Mass Bomb Threats Postcard provides awareness on mass bomb threat campaigns illustrating their impacts and indicators along with a focus on evaluating risk levels and threat response options.

The Office for Bombing Prevention's (OBP) Technical Resource for Incident Prevention (TRIPwire) Awareness Bulletin titled "Responding to Mass Bomb Threat Campaigns" provides resources for a managed response to bomb threat campaigns; information on previous mass bomb threat campaigns; and statistics on devices discovered following bomb threats. Download the printer-friendly Mass Bomb Threats TRIPwire Awareness Bulletin.

Additional Resources 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, these specialized programs, products, and information may be useful to you.

Bombing Prevention Planning

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offers planning resources and workshops to help jurisdictions understand the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) risk and how to incorporate effective Counter-IED (C-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.

Bombing Prevention Training

DHS provides a variety of trainings and develops awareness products for law enforcement, first responders, and the private sector to enhance the security and resilience of the Nation.

OBP also maintains catalogs of C-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 (SLTT) partners:

TRIPwire

The Technical Resource for Incident Prevention (TRIPwire) is DHS' 24/7 online, collaborative information-sharing and resource portal for evolving IED tactics, techniques, and procedures, as well as lessons learned, for:

Bomb squads
Emergency responders
Military personnel
Government officials
Intelligence analysts
Private sector security professionals
Critical infrastructure owners and operators

Contact Information

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

Please contact your local Protective Security Advisor (PSA) or send an email to the Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) at OBP@cisa.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 Something®."