Risk Management Advisories
BOMB THREATS - SCHOOL EVACUATION
Focus on...
- Some points to keep in mind with respect to bomb threats:
- keep the caller on the phone
- try to identify voice, accent, background noise
- police would conduct a search of the premises, with staff
- evacuation would not be automatic, the police would advise the principal
on whether or not to evacuate the premises
- staff should inspect their own work areas daily and make note of anything
The Ministry of Education Safety Memorandum No. 3, revised 1982, is the most
current Ministry directive on the topic of evacuation of schools, mainly for
fire drills.
The Ministry suggests that principals consult with local fire, police and hospital
authorities to establish procedures in advance to be followed should other situations
arise where evacuation of the school may be considered appropriate. Bomb threats
fall into this category.
It is important for principals to consult with and follow the advice of the
local police on these matters. For the information of our members, we are sharing,
with their kind permission, Lakehead District School Board's Bomb Threat Procedures
as an example of a common-sense approach to bomb threats. The Risk Management
Guidelines Manual that OSBIE made available to member boards back in 1993 has
an Emergency Procedures Section, which may give further assistance in developing
evacuation plans.
Newly-amalgamated boards should review their individual policies on this topic
and agree on a single policy for the new board.
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