Ensuring Building Security

• Know whom to contact in an emergency
• Don't be reluctant to seek assistance
• Report suspicious persons or packages
• Know your role in case of emergency
• Know your occupant emergency plan
• Wear your identification badge
• Challenge people not wearing ID badges
• Post only appropriate material on the Internet
• Be cautious of phone and discussions held in open areas
• Don't leave your computer unattended
• Report unusual requests for information
• Write all emergency numbers for your building on a card and keep for future reference:
  • Emergency phone number:
  • Federal Protective Service: 1-877-4FPS-411
  • Building security:
  • Police/sheriff:
  • Fire department:
  • Ambulance:
  • Health unit:
• For family or business preparedness in case of emergency, please visit Ready.gov
• For any emergency located in a federal building or property please call the Federal Protective Service at: 1-877-4FPS-411

• Examine unopened envelopes and packages and look for suspicious features.
• Handle incoming mail in a designated separate mailroom.
• Wash your hands after mail is opened.
• Restrict mailroom access to authorized persons.

Receiving Suspect Packages

• Remain calm.
• Do not open the package or letter.
• Do not shake or empty the contents of a suspicious package or envelope.
• Do not carry the package or envelope, show it to others or allow others to examine it.
• Put the package or envelope on a stable surface; do not sniff, touch, taste, or look closely at it or any contents that may have spilled.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose or other body parts.
• Shut off window air conditioning units and fans.
• Isolate the package and secure the room by shutting all doors and windows.
• Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water.
• If in or near a federal facility, contact the Federal Protective Service by calling 1-877-4FPS-411.
• Report to supervisor and call 911.
• Advise fellow co-workers to avoid the area.
• Don't leave the area until told to by responding officers.
• Ensure that all persons who have touched the letter wash their hands with soap and water.
• Make a list of all persons who touched the letter or package and who were in the area when the letter was opened.
• After examination of package, shower with soap and water.

Features of Suspect Mail

• Excessive postage, no postage, or non-canceled postage
• No return address or fictitious return address
• Improper spelling of names, titles or locations
• Unexpected envelopes from foreign countries
• Suspicious or threatening messages written on packages
• Postmark with different location than return address
• Distorted handwriting or cut-and-paste lettering
• Unprofessionally wrapped packages or excessive use of tape, strings, or other wrapping
• Packages marked "Fragile: Handle with Care," "Rush: Do Not Delay," "Personal" or "Confidential"
• Rigid, uneven, irregular, or lopsided packages
• Packages discolored, oily or with an unusual odor
• Packages with soft spots, bulges, or excessive weight
• Protruding wires or aluminum foil

• Stay calm and be courteous to the caller.
• If in or near a federal facility, immediately following the call report the threat to the Federal Protective Service at: 1-877-4FPS-411.
• Report the threat immediately to 911.
• Write down the time, incoming extension number and exact wording of the threat.
• Do not allow the phone line to be used again until law enforcement has a chance to trace the call.

• Keep calm and continue talking to the caller.
• Fill out the bomb threat checklist at your workstation.
• Repeat questions if necessary.
• Don't hang up; stretch out the conversation.
• Signal a co-worker to pick up an extension.
• Ask the caller to repeat the message and write down any additional information.
• Remember to fill out both sides of the bomb threat checklist.
• Note any background noise as well as the caller’s gender, voice pitch and accent.
• Have a co-worker call the Federal Protective Service, a protective security officer or local police.
• Don't allow the phone line to be used again so that law enforcement has an opportunity to trace the call.
• Notify your immediate supervisor.

• Stay calm and quietly signal for help.
• Maintain eye contact with weapon carrier.
• Stall for time and speak calmly to the perpetrator.
• Keep talking, yet follow instructions from the person who has the weapon.
• Don't risk harm to yourself or others.
• Never attempt to grab the weapon.
• Watch for a possible chance to escape to a safe area.

Questions to Ask:

• What chemical or biological agent is it?
• When is the agent going to be released?
• Where is it right now? (building/floor/room)
• Who put it there?
• What does it look like?
• What will cause it to spread?
• What will trigger it?
• Where did you find this agent?
• Why are you doing this?
• What is your phone number and address?
• What is your name?

Observe the following:

• Write down a description of the caller's voice, including gender, age, tone, accent and speech impediments.
• Describe any background sounds you hear.

• Follow your facility’s Occupant Emergency Plan
• Stay calm and quickly prepare to leave the building.
• Notify co-workers to evacuate the premises.
• Take appropriate stairwells, not elevators, to leave the building.
• Follow your building’s specific emergency action plan and meet in designated areas.
• Do not return to the building until law enforcement officials have indicated that it is safe to return.