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Code yellow - Bomb Threat Procedure

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PURPOSE:
To establish procedures for notification of authorities, search procedures, evacuation of patients and personnel in the event of a bomb threat.

POLICY:
When a threat is received there is no time to determine what resources are available. This must be done in advance so that key personnel will act automatically. Refer to “Bomb Threat – What to Do” sheet, which shows immediate steps to be taken.

Previous experience with bomb threats has shown that publicity generates threats; therefore, it is recommended that publicity of a bomb threat be minimized. The Administrator should be contacted in the event of a bomb threat, who will make the decision regarding publicity.

Receipt of threat:
If you receive a Bomb Threat:

Immediately log onto Fast Command on the Chatham Hospital Intranet

Click on “Bomb Threat Questions to Ask.”

Ask the questions on the list and follow the instructions.

Prolong the conversation as much as possible.

Note distinguishing voice characteristics.

Ask where the bomb will explode, and at what time.

Note if the caller indicated knowledge of the Hospital by his description of the location.

Prolong the conversation as much as possible.

Be alert for distinguishing background noises such as music, voices, and aircraft.

Notify in the following order:

Call Code YELLOW by calling 30-00; overhead page THREE times, announce location if known; Announce: Turn off all cell phones at this time

Call 911

Emergency Department - Tell them not to use the radio and/or cell phones unless extreme emergency, as some explosion devices are set off by this mechanism. The ED immediately notifies Chatham County Communications (919-542-2911) to divert all ambulances and radio traffic.

The President or Administrator On-call

Immediate and Search Procedures:
After the person receiving the call provides the details, they will become the Incident Commander (until this duty has been delegated to an individual more appropriate or more trained) and will make the necessary decisions, issue the orders and prepare for the arrival of assistance. The Small Conference Room will become the Command Center for an all-search and clear operations. The Incident Commander will be responsible for notifying the Maintenance Supervisor and the Security Guard to standby with master keys, who will also secure and stand by with floor plans of the hospital.  There are boxes locked outside the ED ambulance doors and on the back loading dock at the stairs that are accessible by Siler City Police Department. They contain master keys to the hospital.

The building will be divided into sections and a minimum number of employees will be designated to search each assigned area if local authorities decide to involve Hospital personnel in the search procedure.  All directions for search will be initiated through the Incident Commander.

Notifying of all persons, including outpatients, visitors and staff in a calm and professional manner to tell them to turn off any cell phones.

All entrances will be locked.

Entrance may be granted to Emergency patients and Law Enforcement only until Code Yellow is resolved.

All visitors and outpatients will be asked to leave immediately upon receiving a bomb threat.

If what appears to be a bomb is found, it will not be touched. The area around the suspected bomb will be cleared and professional assistance will be obtained through the Police Department. Personnel should remain calm and alert.
Personnel should do everything to keep the patients from becoming alarmed. The patients should not be told that a bomb threat has been received.

Evacuation:
If evacuation becomes necessary, the Evacuation Plan will be initiated.

Reports:
Each Department Director should report to the Incident Commander immediately after a thorough search of his/her area has been completed indicating the results of the search.

Bomb Explosion:
In the event of a bomb explosion, the Internal Disaster Plan is to be activated.

INCIDENT COMMAND:
The staff person who is witness to a potential bomb or receives the bomb threat is the designated Incident Commander and is to carry out the duties and responsibilities of this role until Incident Command can be delegated to an appropriate replacement. After calling 911 and ensuring the safety of staff, patients and visitors, the hospital President or administrator on call should be notified as soon as possible. Law Enforcement, upon arrival, will be the Incident Commander for the situation but an Incident Commander must remain in charge for Chatham Hospital.  Law Enforcement is responsible for determining a staging area.

The Incident Commander will set up a Command Center in a safe location (Small Conference Room if possible).

Log onto Fast Command System via the Chatham Hospital Intranet, initiate and follow appropriate protocols and instructions for Incident Commander.

The Incident Commander will designate a Safety Officer, a Liaison Officer and a Public Information Officer, along with Section Chiefs for Planning, Logistics, Administration and Operations according to Chatham Hospital's Emergency Operations Plan.

All designees will have duties and instructions for their respective roles on Fast Command.

The Incident Commander will conclude Code Yellow when advised to do so by law enforcement.

Recovery:

The Incident Commander is responsible for terminated emergency management processes and initiating the recovery process.

Employee Health and Human Resources will coordinate a staff incident stress debriefing and any follow-on counseling.

The Hospital President will coordinate resumption of any curtailed services.

A facility damage assessment will be conducted by the Maintenance Department and schedule repair work prior to reoccupying damaged areas of the hospital.

The Chief Financial Officer will prepare and process all authorized claims.

The Incident Commander will schedule a debriefing and conduct a critique of the response.

All supplies, drugs, water, food, linen and fuel will be replenished.

US Patent Numbers 7,720,998 B2, 7,836,207