Bomb Threat

What to Do

If you receive a threat by phone

Most bomb threats are made by telephone. If you receive one of these calls:

  1. Remain calm and do not hang up.
  2. Write down the caller ID number and the exact time of the call.
  3. Pass the phone to a staff member, if you're a student and time permits.
  4. Signal someone to notify the TCCD Police Dispatch at 817-515-8911.
  5. Keep the phone off the hook after the call ends, so police can trace the call.

While you're on the phone, take notes on:

  • The caller's sex, age, race and accent
  • The caller's voice characteristics, such as calm vs excited, soft vs loud, laughing vs crying, etc.
  • Background noises, such as street noises, voices, music, etc.

Only discuss this matter with police and administrators. This helps ensure that misinformation does not cause panic.

Questions to Ask the Caller

  1. When is the bomb going to explode?
  2. Where is it right now?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. What kind of bomb is it?
  5. What will cause it to explode?
  6. Did you place the bomb?
  7. Why?
  8. What is your address?
  9. What is your name?

If a bomb threat has been made

All bomb threats must be taken seriously and carefully analyzed. The threat should be treated as genuine until investigated and a search of the school has been completed. Evacuation of buildings is not an absolute requirement when bomb threats are received. Often bomb threats are hoaxes, and callers simply want to see a chaotic situation ensure.

The decision to evacuate buildings when bomb threats are received is made jointly by senior police personnel and the senior administrator.

If a decision is made to evacuate, the police will implement evacuation procedures in the same manner as if it is for a fire or hazardous material incident. If the building has been evacuated, absolutely no one will be allowed to enter except those specifically authorized to do so by the on-site Emergency Incident Commander. This commander and the highest-level College administrator will make the decision for re-entry for all others jointly.

Fire department and/or Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) personnel who have been specially trained for this type of work should conduct searches for bombs or explosive devices. However, in some instances TCC Police or other personnel familiar with the affected building may accompany them. Any usual or suspect items should not be touched or otherwise disturbed except by trained professionals.

Updated January 20, 2023