09/17/2026
Security officers
Where is the best place to keep a bomb checklist?
BOMB THREAT
CALL PROCEDURES
Most bomb threats are received by phone. Bomb threats
are serious until proven otherwise. Act quickly, but
remain calm and obtain information with the checklist on
the reverse of this card.
If a bomb threat is received by phone:
1. Remain calm. Keep the caller on the line for as long as
possible. DO NOT HANG UP, even if the caller does.
2. Listen carefully. Be polite and show interest.
3. Try to keep the caller talking to learn more information.
4. If possible, write a note to a colleague to call the
authorities or, as soon as the caller hangs up,
immediately notify them yourself.
5. If your phone has a display, copy the number and/or
letters on the window display.
6. Complete the Bomb Threat Checklist (reverse side)
immediately. Write down as much detail as you can
remember. Try to get exact words.
7. Immediately upon termination of the call, do not hang
up, but from a different phone, contact FPS
immediately with information and await instructions.
If a bomb threat is received by handwritten note:
• Call ______________________
• Handle note as minimally as possible.
If a bomb threat is received by email:
• Call ______________________
• Do not delete the message.
Signs of a suspicious package:
• No return address • Poorly handwritten
• Excessive postage • Misspelled words
• Stains • Incorrect titles
• Strange odor • Foreign postage
• Strange sounds • Restrictive notes
• Unexpected delivery
DO NOT:
• Use two-way radios or cellular phone; radio signals
have the potential to detonate a bomb.
• Evacuate the building until police arrive and evaluate
the threat.
• Activate the fire alarm.
• Touch or move a suspicious package.
WHO TO CONTACT (select one)
• Follow your local guidelines
• Federal Protective Service (FPS) Police
1-877-4-FPS-411 (1-877-437-7411)
• 911
BOMB THREAT CHECKLIST
Date: Time:
Time Caller Phone Number Where
Hung Up: Call Received:
Ask Caller:
• Where is the bomb located?
(Building, Floor, Room, etc.)
• When will it go off?
• What does it look like?
• What kind of bomb is it?
• What will make it explode?
• Did you place the bomb? Yes No
• Why?
• What is your name?
Exact Words of Threat:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Information About Caller:
• Where is the caller located? (Background and level of noise)
• Estimated age:
• Is voice familiar? If so, who does it sound like?
• Other points:
Caller’s Voice Background Sounds: Threat Language:
� Accent � Animal Noises � Incoherent
� Angry � House Noises � Message read
� Calm � Kitchen Noises � Taped
� Clearing throat � Street Noises � Irrational
� Coughing � Booth � Profane
� Cracking voice � PA system � Well-spoken
� Crying � Conversation
� Deep � Music
� Deep breathing � Motor
� Disguised � Clear
� Distinct � Static
� Excited � Office machinery
� Female � Factory machinery
� Laughter � Local
� Lisp � Long distance
� Loud
� Male Other Information:
� Nasal
_____________________________________
� Normal
� Ragged
_____________________________________� Rapid
� Raspy
� Slow
� Slurred
� Soft
� Stutter
