SEARCHPLAN

Phase two of the bomb threat preparedness plan is to initiate the SEARCH plan. SEARCH is an acronym which sequentially details the actions that should be taken after a bomb threat has been received. Those steps include: Surveying the site, Evacuating the site, moving students to an Alternate location, Releasing students to parents from the alternate location, Communicating the situation to the media, and establishing a Hazard-free site. The authors recommend that each time a bomb threat is received the following steps be implemented according to the level of the threat.

Some bomb specialists have noted that the more detailed the bomb threat call and the more follow-up calls received, the more likely it is that there could be an actual bomb. While this may serve as one guide, it is recommended that school administrators confer with law enforcement agencies and any other emergency specialists who would respond to a bomb threat or bomb device. The purpose of this meeting should include developing school and/or district-specific procedures for evaluating bomb threat calls, including procedures for evacuating building and grounds.

A Level One threat is characterized by the caller reacting hesitantly and not supplying specific information regarding the bomb or its location. In this case, the principal might choose to proceed through the first three steps of the SEARCH plan and then wait for the police to arrive and provide further assessment of the situation. In this case an alternate location could be any secured site, such as a gymnasium or auditorium.

A Level Two threat is characterized by the caller sounding very serious and providing detailed information about the bomb and its location. In this case, the principal would want to follow all six steps of the SEARCH plan and implement procedures for releasing the students to their parents, communicating the situation to the media, and assisting outside agencies in securing the building from any possible bomb hazards.

Once a bomb threat has been received, the building principal should communicate that information to the teachers via the school intercom system, using a special code. The code should be a phrase that would not frighten or alarm the students such as �We are having a visit from the Board of Education. Please prepare for inspection.� This code not only communicates to the teachers that the school has received a bomb threat but it also signals them to begin a rapid survey of their classrooms.

The authors believe that there should always be a quick surveillance of the site before evacuation begins. The key people to help in a bomb survey are the employees themselves, because no one is more familiar with the classrooms than the people who have been assigned to them. This is the best method for accomplishing a rapid search, since the personnel themselves know what does and what does not belong in a particular area. It is important to stress in the training session that this is only a quick visual survey of the classroom. Teachers are NOT to move, pick up, or touch anything.

If during the visual survey, any foreign or suspicious articles are located such as metal pipes, unfamiliar packages, explosive caps, etc. the teacher should notify the office by saying �We Need Assistance� and then proceed with immediate evacuation.

Many schools have a policy that requires a faculty survey in the event of a bomb threat, but very few districts actually in-service their staffs on how to conduct a survey. The following procedures can be included in a policy for conducting classroom surveys during a bomb threat.

1. The administrator shall cause the notification of an employee of the facility via the public address system with the code words, "We are having a visitor from the Board of Education. Prepare for inspection."

2. All employees will immediately search their assigned areas and report to the office that their areas have been cleared. (Where several people occupy one space, one employee shall be designated as the searcher.)

3. The administrator will remain at the office and will check off all cleared areas on the floor plan of the facility.

4. The administrator will cause the recipient of the call to write down and submit the exact words of the message describing the call as soon after receipt as possible.

5. The administrator will also meet with the police officer who respond to the facility's call and advise them of the details of the bomb threat message and the facility's response.

6. The administrator will announce evacuation of that portion of the facility required for protection of students and staff.

7. In the event that a suspected bomb is found, the administrator will notify or cause the notification of the local bomb squad for purposes of deactivation and removal.

8. Previously selected search teams will report to the administrator at the office to search areas that have not been reported cleared by possible absent employees.

9. After all areas have been searched and cleared, the administrator will so advise the employees through the public address system with the code words, "The administration wishes to thank all personnel for their efficiency."