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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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? _______________________________

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. _______________________________________________________

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.