Arson and Bomb Threats

Policy

It is the policy of the College to maintain a safe learning and working environment. It is the policy of the College to address Arson and Bomb Threats in accordance with acceptable standard safety guidelines.

Purpose

The purpose of the policy is to establish procedures for the handling of arson and bomb threats.

To Whom Does This Policy Apply

This policy applies to all students and employees of Tacoma Community College.

References

IV. ADSV-621 Fire, Disaster, Emergency & Injury.

TCC Campus Emergency Operations Planning Guide.

Definitions

Bomb-  A container filled with explosive, incendiary material, smoke, gas, or other destructive substance, designed to explode on impact or when detonated by a time mechanism, remote-control device, or lit fuse.

Bomb Threat- A bomb threat is generally defined as a verbal or written threat to detonate an explosive or incendiary device to cause property damage or injuries, whether or not such a device actually exists.

Arson- Criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.

Procedure

Arson

If there’s a fire on campus, students and staff will adhere to the policy IV. ADSV-621 Fire, Disaster, Emergency & Injury. Any fire  on campus will be investigated to determine if an act of arson was involved. Fire investigations will be conducted by Tacoma Fire Department. College students and staff must cooperate with Tacoma Fire Department during the course of the investigation.

Bomb Threat

The presence of an explosive device and/or the reception of a bomb threat are situations that Tacoma Community College must be prepared to confront in a calm and professional manner. All bomb threats must be taken seriously to ensure the safety of the Students, Faculty, Staff and Visitors at Tacoma Community College.

A bomb threat could be written, e-mailed, communicated verbally or received by phone.

Person receiving the bomb threat telephone call will:

1. While the Subject is speaking to you on the phone, fill out the "Bomb Threat   Checklist" Worksheet.
2. Make every attempt to:
   1. Stay calm and indicate your desire to cooperate with the Subject.  DO NOT Antagonize or challenge the Subject.
   2. Obtain as much information as possible. Prolong the conversation as long as possible.
   3. Ask permission to repeat any instructions to make sure they were understood.
   4. Attempt to determine the caller's knowledge of the facility.
   5. Identify background noises.
3. DO NOT HANG UP THE PHONE!  Signal to a co-worker nearby to call Public Safety at X5111 for assistance. If it is possible, use another phone to call for assistance.
4. The employee receiving the call should immediately call the Public Safety Department at X5111.
5. Public Safety will conduct a sweep of all buildings and determine from the information that was provided if call was creditable.
6. If call appears creditable, Public Safety will contact TPD for assistance.
7. Public Safety will initiate the Incident Command Center and the campus will proceed in accordance with the TCC Campus Emergency Operations Planning Guide. 

Person finding a bomb threat note will:

1. Contact Public Safety at X5111 and inform of time and location where the note was found.
2. Public Safety will determine if note is creditable, if it appears creditable Public Safety will contact TPD.
3. Public Safety will conduct a sweep of all buildings and determine from the information that was provided if note was creditable.
4. If call appears creditable, Public Safety will contact TPD for assistance.
5. Public Safety will initiate the Incident Command Center and the campus will proceed in accordance with the TCC Campus Emergency Operations Planning Guide.