Bomb Threats

Bomb and Terrorist Attacks to Campus:

bombBombs can be constructed to look like anything and can be placed or delivered in any number of ways. The probability of finding a bomb that looks like the stereotypical bomb is almost nonexistent. The only common denominator that exists is that they are all designed and intended to explode.

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

Two main reasons someone may call with a bomb threat:

  • The person knows of an explosive device that is in place, and wants to minimize injuries
  • The person wants to create an environment of panic/confusion or to interrupt normal office/building functions

The latter reason is the most frequently encountered, especially in school settings (and particularly when major exams are scheduled or projects due). Unfortunately, there is often no way to tell which is the motivation of the caller until after a thorough inspection of the building is conducted. This means that there will always need to be a response to the threat by emergency services personnel (police, fire, and medical).

If you receive a call:

  • Immediately after the call is terminated, Call 911 and the dispatcher will notify University Police
  • Document the conversation using the Bomb Threat Checklist
  • Notify the department head/building proctor
  • Meet with and assist University Police personnel
  • As directed by University Police, help locate/identify suspicious items
  • Evacuate building, as directed (use of public address system preferred or use building fire alarm system)
  • Do not re-enter building until cleared by authorized personnel
  1. Securing Campus: Campus Police
  2. Securing Waterfront and Training Vessel
  3. Shelter In Place
  4. Communications
  5. Securing Teichman Facility
  6. Food and Water Rations
  7. Order Re-opening of campus

Securing Campus

  • No student, faculty or staff member will be allowed to leave campus until released by the COO or designee.

    • The Incident Command Team will report to the Emergency Operations Center to coordinate campus operations.
    • Each Building Emergency Coordinator will be contacted by an Incident Command Team member with instructions to secure his/her building by following Shelter in Place procedures.
    • Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
    • College Station will be notified of the incident and the campus’ actions.
    • All Campus Police Officers will be called to duty immediately. Campus Police will be dispatched to the main entrance of campus and to the intersection of Seawolf Parkway and Texas Clipper Road.
    • Campus Police will remain in radio contact with the Police Chief and Incident Command Center.
  • Campus vehicles will be used as barriers to block the entrance and exit to the campus at both locations.
    • Additional campus vehicles will be provided by the Physical Plant if necessary to provide a more secure perimeter.
    • Gate access to resident hall parking lots will be locked.
  • ICT Liason officer will coordinate communications with the Galveston Office of Emergency Management to ensure traffic is restricted on to Pelican Island from Harborside Drive.
  • Remaining Campus Police Officers will continuously patrol interior of campus.
  • Vessel Operations Manager will secure all boats in Small Boat Basin and monitor the Waterfront.
  • General Rudder personnel and duty watch will provide watch and report to the Incident Command Center.
  • General Rudder Shelter in Place procedures will be implemented.
  • SSC Facilities Services shall enact emergency response plan

Securing of Waterfront Operations and the USTS General Rudder

  • In the event of a terrorist threat/attack the Master of the General Rudder will be responsible for invoking the Facilities Security Plan regarding the protection of the USTS General Rudder.
  • Campus Police will coordinate communications with the Galveston Office of Emergency Management to ensure traffic is restricted on to Pelican Island from Harborside Drive.
  • Vessel Operations Director will secure all boats in Small Boat Basin and monitor the Waterfront.
  • General Rudder personnel and duty watch will provide watch and report to the Incident Command Center.

Shelter In Place

The Office of the COO will issue the directive to shelter in place in the event of a terrorist attack or threat to the immediate area. Campus occupants will take shelter inside a campus facility.

  • Employees:
    • Move indoors or remain there – avoid windows and areas with glass.
    • If available, take a radio or television to the room to track emergency status.
    • Keep telephone lines free for emergency responders. Do not call 911 for information
    • If hazardous materials are involved;
    • Turn off all ventilation systems and close all inlets from the outside.
    • Select a room(s) which is easy to seal and, if possible, has a water supply and access to restrooms.
    • If you smell gas or vapor, hold a wet cloth loosely over your nose and mouth and breath through it in as normal a fashion as possible.
  • Students
    • Return to resident hall rooms and avoid windows and areas with glass.
    • If available,take a radio or television to the room to track emergency status. Keep telephone lines free for emergency responders. Do not call 911 for information
    • Wait for Community Leaders to provide further instructions.
    • If hazardous materials are involved,
    • Turn off all ventilation systems and close all inlets from the outside.
    • Select a room(s) which is easy to seal and, if possible, has a water supply and access to restrooms.
    • If you smell gas or vapor, hold a wet cloth loosely over your nose and mouth and breath through it in as normal a fashion as possible.

Communications Following the Securing of Campus

  • Parent Notification
    • Parents of students will be notified immediately following a report from Campus Police that the campus is secured and all occupants are accounted for.
    • Given the nature of the incident, students may be required to remain on campus for an indeterminable period. If this occurs, food, water and shelter will be provided.
    • Notification will be conducted by the Office of Student Affairs.
    • Parents will be instructed to contact their child in their residence hall rooms or through the main Incident Command Center number.
  • Employee Family Notification
    • Employees will be allowed to contact their families following a report from Campus Police that the campus is secured and all occupants are accounted for.
    • Given the nature of the incident, employees may be required to remain on campus for an indeterminable period. If this occurs food, water, and shelter will be provided.
    • Information concerning the campus will be posted on the TAMUG website and local media sources:
      • www.tamug.edu
      • Radio/Television Station Contacts:
      • KHOU -TV Channel 11
      • KTRK -TV Channel 13
      • KTRH – Radio 740 AM

Teichman Road Campuses

  • The Sail Center will be responsible for securing their respective facility and accounting for all personnel.
  • The Incident Command Center shall be notified once the building is secured.
  • Occupants are to remain in their offices/labs until notified by the Building Emergency Coordinator that it is safe to vacate the building.
  • Occupants will be required to complete an Evacuation and Emergency Information Sheet to be returned to the Building Emergency Coordinator.
  • Building occupants should be prepared to:
    • Secure all critical files and records,
    • Secure all sensitive and rare specimen samples,
    • Secure all radio active materials,
    • Relocate all chemicals to safe storage.

Food and Water Rations

If the campus is secured for an indeterminable period of time, food and water supplies will be provided on a restricted basis.

  • Food Rations
    • The Dining Facilities will prepare meals for all campus occupants.
    • Rationing of food supplies will be determined by the Director of Food Services and the Incident Command Team.
    • Available employees will assist in meal preparation and clean up.
    • Meals will be served in the dining facilities according to the following schedule:
      • Resident Hall Occupants/Students,
      • Employees,
      • Incident Command Team.
  • Water Rations
    • Unless normal water supplies are disrupted or contaminated, water usage will not be restricted.
    • Potable water will be stored in the holding ballasts of the General Rudder to be used for drinking purposes only.
    • Restricted Water Rationing
      • Distribution of potable water will be the responsibility of the Incident Command Team.
      • Water will be distributed from the General Rudder by watch personnel on a per gallon basis.
      • Water will be supplied to the Dining Facility for cooking and cleaning purposes only.
      • Water for restroom, shower and hygiene use will be restricted to a minimum.

Order to Re-open Campus

  • The Office of the COO will determine when to re-open the campus at which time, students, faculty and staff will be allowed to return.
  • Campus police will direct traffic as occupants return.
  • The media will be asked to announce that the campus has been re-opened and normal operations resumed or an evacuation is ordered.
  • Voice mail numbers in College Station and Galveston will be available to provide up-to-date information regarding the re-opening of campus. The campus website will also provide this information:
    • (409) 740-5500
    • www.tamug.edu
    • Radio/Television Station
      • KHOU -TV Channel 11
      • KTRK -TV Channel 13
      • KTRH – Radio 740 AM