1. Employee Awareness
Suspicious Packages, Bomb Threats, & Hazardous Spills
The Saint Barnabas Health Care System
Office of Disaster Preparedness in Cooperation with the Saint Barnabas Security & Safety Management Services

2. The policy of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System is to provide a safe and secure environment for all of its employees, patients, and visitors.
This presentation is designed to provide a basic understanding of your role, as an employee of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, if you happen to locate a suspicious package, receive a bomb threat, or discover a hazardous spill.

3. System-Wide Emergency Number
In the event of an emergency - Dial ***111 and inform the operator of the emergency event.
Relay the information to the operator and stay on the line until instructed to hang up.

4. Bomb Threats Bomb Threats fall into two categories:
Hoax; no bomb has been placed in the facility. These are usually designed to alter the workforce, institute a sense of fear, or test reactions to a bomb threat. 
Bomb; This is an actual warning of an explosive device in or near the facility. This call is an attempt to minimize personal injury, but they also enable the terrorist to blame others if there are casualties.
**If a Bomb Threat is made a Code Yellow alert will be issued.

5. Bomb Threats Don’t Panic!
If telephone number appears on the telephone caller identification – Write Down the Number.
Write down the time and date of call.
Ask where the bomb will explode and when.
Prolong the conversation as long as possible – refer to BOMB threat checklist.
**All two-way radio transmission is forbidden, as this may activate bomb-timing mechanism.

6. Bomb Threats Remain Calm!
Note any distinguishing background noises – Are there bells? Do you hear other voices? Music?
Does the caller have a specific accent?
Does the caller sound familiar with the hospital? Are they talking about a specific area (s)?
Immediately contact your supervisor or manager.
Try to complete the “Bomb Threat Checklist.”

7. TELEPHONE BOMB THREAT CHECKLIST
Keep Calm! Do not get excited or excite others.
DO NOT put caller on hold or transfer to another line.
Did you notice the return number on the caller ID? ____________________________
Note Time Received____________________ and Terminated ___________________
Put down the exact words of the caller ______________________________________
Delay-Ask caller to repeat. Then ask these questions:
When is it set to explode? _________________ Where is it located? ______________
What floor? __________________________ What area? _______________________
What type of bomb? __________________ Description? _______________________
Why are you placing this bomb in the hospital? _______________________________

8. TELEPHONE BOMB THREAT CHECKLIST
Description of voice:
Male ________ Female ________ Nervous _______ Young ______ Old_________
Middle Aged _______ Rough _________ Refined _________ Accent ____________
Any speech impediment? _______________________________________________
Did the person use any unusual phrases?___________________________________
Did you recognize the voice? ____________________________________________
If so, who do you think it is? _____________________________________________
Were there any background noises? ____________________________________________
Music type? _______ Running motor type? ________ Bells? _______ Horns? _____
Aircraft? _______ Trains? _______ Machinery? _______ Any other clues? _______
Did the caller indicate in any way that he knew our hospital? ___________________
Note his words. _______________________________________________________

9. Suspicious Packages What makes it a suspicious package? Rigid or bulky
Excessive tape or string
Rigid or bulky
Lopsided or uneven
Protruding wires or metal
Strange odor
Wrong title with name
Oily stains, discolorations, or crystallization on wrapper

10. Suspicious Packages What makes it a suspicious package?
Package arrived under unusual circumstances
Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
Excessive weight
Ticking sound
Shows a city or state in the post mark that does not match the return address
Misspellings of common words
No return address

11. Suspicious Packages
Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious package or envelope.
Place the envelope or package into a plastic bag or cover the object with anything (clothing, paper, trashcan, etc.) to prevent leakage or contamination.
Close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering.
Call ***111 and remain in the area to await assistance.

12. Envelope with Powder DO NOT CLEAN UP the powder.
Cover the spilled contents immediately with anything and do not remove this cover!
Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering or being contaminated.
WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face.
Report the incident by dialing the emergency operator at ***111 and wait for instructions.

13. Hazardous Spills Hazardous spills fall into two categories:
“Incidental” Release: The facility is capable of cleaning the spill itself.
“Uncontrollable” Release: The facility is not capable of cleaning the spill and will need to call an outside source to clean the spill.

14. Hazardous Spills
In the event of a hazardous waste spill, the employee should contact the operator at ***111 to report the spill.
The employee will need to relay the following information to the operator:
Your Name
Spill Location; room number and department
Type of chemical that was released (if known)
Approximate quantity of chemical released

15. Hazardous Spills
The reporting employee should act as traffic control keeping patients, visitors, and staff at a safe distance until Security arrives on the scene to act as traffic control.
** If the spill is recognized as a hazardous chemical spill a Code Orange alert will be issued.

16. Emergency Codes RED – FIRE BLUE – ADULT MEDICAL EMERGENCY
WHITE – PEDIATRIC MEDICAL EMERGENCY
AMBER – INFANT / CHILD ABDUCTION
YELLOW – BOMB THREAT
GRAY – SECURITY EMERGENCY / PATIENT ELOPEMENT
SILVER – PERSON WITH WEAPON/HOSTAGE SITUATION
ORANGE – HAZMAT INCIDENT

17. Emergency Codes TRIAGE – DISASTER SITUATION 10 – MEDICAL INCIDENT
777 – EVACUATION
STEMI – ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCT
STROKE – INPATIENT STROKE OCCURRENCE
CLEAR – ALL CLEAR / END OF CODE

18. Awareness and Response
Each employee within the Saint Barnabas Health Care System has a duty to ensure the safety of all patients, visitors, and employees.
Safety is not just a management responsibility, it’s EVERYONES responsibility! Get involved and learn how you can help ensure the well-being of our patients, visitors, and employees.
Please contact your facility Safety Director or the Office of Disaster Preparedness to see how you can make a difference.