Safety and Hazard Control Response Plan
Instructions: As the director of security for an international corporation, you are responsible for detailing safety response (not security response) and hazard control plans to address a bomb threat related to a terrorist group at a major city hospital
Write at least a 550 word plan describing safety (not security) and hazard control response procedures in dealing with the bomb threat related to a terrorist group at a major city hospital
Include the procedures to follow for post-incident evaluation.
Solution.
Safety and Hazard Control Response Plan
A bomb threat requires immediate and efficient planning to prevent or minimize its impact in case of occurrence. A safety and hazard response plan ensures that in case of an explosion the impact is made as minimal as possible. A threat to a health facility places patients, staff, and visitors at risk and thus the need for a plan to guarantee their safety. Islam and Ryan (2016) state that a comprehensive plan reduces chances of panic and promises the safety of people in and around the facility. This plan considers a scenario of a bomb threat made to a major city hospital. It outlines the safety and hazard control response plan for handling the threat.
Safety Procedure
- Staying calm in the course of and after the call.
- Record important information communicated during the threat call.
- Observe the attitude, speech pattern (prolong call by requesting for information).
- Observe the emotional state and background noise such as music, people talking, accents, and traffic etc.
- Alert other people nearby of the call to call the police.
- Try to vacate people if the threat is perceived as high-risk or stay in-doors and close doors for safety if the threat is said to be outside the facility, near the doors or windows.
- Follow the emergency evacuation procedure in case leaving the building is the safest move.
In cases where there is an existing bomb threat response plan, the individual assigned the authority must offer guidance in accordance with the plan. Physical search for the device and evacuation may in some cases be the best safest response methods that guarantee the safety of the people in the facility. In the event of a search, the persons conducting the search must be trained for the purpose, speedy and as exhaustive. The safety of every individual even those searching the premises must be considered to ensure the least likelihood of an explosion, injury or loss of life (Schwab, 2016).
The evacuation process should proceed with an announcement made by the safety coordinator or a team member of the safety response. The process should proceed without confusion and panic with directions to safe areas outside the facility. The safety of the assembly points must be confirmed and all people from the building notified to remain within the points. Moreover, people should be advised against touching or carrying any suspicious items but rather reporting the location of any suspect objects. However, they should unlock cabinets and drawers and take personal property outside during evacuation (Islam & Ryan, 2016).
Post-Incident Evaluation of a Bombing
Following a bomb explosion, the respective investigation agencies must investigate and evaluate the scene to uncover the truth about the occurrence. Evidence from the scene is useful for the identification of the suspect(s), charging, and conviction. Therefore, professionalism is fundamental in the collection and analysis of post-incident evidence. The procedure may include:
- The creation of a team of experts in the investigation of bombing scenes. The team should include multidisciplinary experts with broad experience in post-incident investigation of explosions.
- Ensuring the availability of fundamental safety equipment/paraphernalia (biohazard equipment, safety footwear, gloves, and glasses, safety hats, first-aid kit, kneepads, and protective wear among other essentials) and crime scene equipment.
- Evaluation of the scene.
- Documentation of the scene.
- Effective collection and processing of evidence, and
- Completion and recording the scene (U.S. Department of Justice, 2016).
References
Islam, T., & Ryan, J. R. (2016). Hazard mitigation in emergency management. Kidlington, Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann – Elsevier.
Schwab, A. K. (2016). Hazard Mitigation and Preparedness. New York: Taylor and Francis.
U.S. Department of Justice. (2016). U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from A guide for explosion and bombing scene investigation – a research report: http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/explosionandbombsceneinvestigationNIJ.pdf