Bomb Threat or Package

Call 9-911 from an on-campus phone or 911 from a cell phone to report an emergency that requires immediate assistance from police and rescue personnel.

If you receive a bomb threat or if you observe a suspicious object/material or suspect a potential bomb on campus, immediately call the Office of Public Safety at 401.865.2222 or press the emergency button on any Blue Light phone.

If you find a suspicious object/material

• DO NOT HANDLE THE OBJECT OR MATERIAL.
• IMMEDIATELY evacuate the area.
• Call the Office of Public Safety at 401.865.2222 or press the emergency button on any Blue Light phone.
• Report the location and description of the object.
• Do not use elevators.
• Do not activate the building alarm.
• Do not open drawers or cabinets.
• Do not turn on/off electrical devices or switches (light switches, cell phones, radios, or any other kind of electrical device).
• Be alert for secondary explosive devices (bombs placed at the scene of an ongoing response meant to cause casualties among responders).

If you receive a bomb threat phone call

• Keep the caller on the line as long as possible; do not put the caller on hold or attempt to transfer the call.
• If possible, have someone else call 911.
• Ask the caller the following questions:
  • When will the bomb go off?
  • What will cause the bomb to explode?
  • Where is the bomb? Which building?
  • What kind of bomb is it? Describe it. Describe materials used.
  • Why did you place the bomb?
  • What is your name?

Record the exact wording of the bomb threat

• Note the time that the call was made.
• Listen closely to the caller’s voice and speech patterns.
• Make note of the caller’s emotional state.
• Listen carefully for background noises around the call.
• Try to assess the caller’s approximate age, gender, and any unusual characteristics.

WHEN THE CALL HAS FINISHED, IMMEDIATELY CALL THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AT 401.865.2222.