How should a school handle a bomb threat?
Bomb threats are complex, because there’s no absolute perfect way to respond to bomb threats. Schools should have very well thought out, flexible plans. If your plans say that you will always evacuate for a bomb threat that is a very dangerous plan. If you go to the same site repeatedly that is a very dangerous plan, because the bomber may use bomb threats to get you to move victims to the place they want where they are more vulnerable. So you need a series of options. We suggest that you work closely with local and state police bomb technicians and bomb experts. Work with your Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) nearest branch office. BATF agents regularly come out and work with schools to help in plan development. The United States Department of Education and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms have a free CD rom to guide you in developing your plan and Safe Havens has a 4,000 word topical paper on school bomb threat management that is available free on the resourc
