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Bomb Threats

  
 

With the increasing number of bombing incidents around the world, no country including Singapore can take safety for granted. Bombing incidents can cause the loss of human lives as well as damage to assets and infrastructure. Vigilance and adherence to procedures for dealing with such situations can help reduce loss of human lives and damage to assets and infrastructure.

  
     
 
bomb_threats
  
     
 

If You See a Suspicious Object or an Unexploded Bomb

Keep away from object / bomb
keep_away
  • Do not touch or move the suspicious object or
    unexploded bomb.
   

Warn others of object / bomb
warn_others_of
  • Move away and warn people in the area about it.
   

Call the Police
call_the_police
  • Contact the Police immediately.
   

Evacuate building
evacuate_building

  1. Exit the building calmly and in an orderly manner.

  2. Do not use the elevators as you could get trapped in them.

  3. Follow the directions of the floor wardens / emergency responders.

  4. Proceed to the assembly area (at least 500m from the building) for a head-count.

  5. When leaving the building, look out for emergency vehicles that may be arriving at the location.
 
     
 

When a Bomb Threat is Received

Take note of caller’s vocal characteristics and background sounds
take_note_of_caller

  • Do not panic. Stay calm.

  • Keep the caller talking for as long as possible while the Police trace the call.

  • It is important to take note of the following:

    1. the caller’s voice and vocal characteristics (e.g. pitch, male or female, adult or child)

    2. the language used and accent (e.g. local or foreign)

    3. the manner of speaking (e.g. rapid, deliberate, emotional, angry)

    4. background noises (e.g. traffic, music, announcements, shouting) and

    5. the person or authority to whom the message should be conveyed

  • Do not antagonise or taunt the caller in any way.

  • Be polite and remain calm.

  • Do not spread rumours.
   

Alert someone to call the Police
alert_someone

  • Alert someone to call the Police if you have not already done so.

  • The Officer receiving such calls will treat them seriously and immediately try to determine:

    1. the precise location of the bomb and exactly what it looks like

    2. the detonation time and what will set it off

    3. the amount and type of explosive used

    4. possible reasons for such an act
   

Notify Building Management
notify_building_managment
  • Inform the building management staff immediately.
 
     
 

When a Letter/Parcel Bomb is Received

Do not open suspicious-looking parcels
do_not_open_suspicious_looking_parcels

  • Most letter/parcel bombs delivered through the mail or regular courier will tolerate a fair amount of handling.

  • If you receive a letter/parcel suspected of containing explosives, do not attempt to open it.

    • Most bombs are designed to detonate when the outer wrapping is cut open or torn.
   

Call the Police if you suspect parcel is a bomb
call_the_police_if_you_suspect
  • If you are not sure of the origin of the letter/parcel but have reason to suspect that it is a bomb, treat it like a bomb and alert the Police.
   

Place suspected letter/parcel bomb in an isolated corner
place_suspected_letter

  • Place the suspected letter/parcel bomb in a corner of the room, away from the windows.

  • Evacuate the room, and if necessary, the building, leaving all doors and windows open. This is to allow the blast, if any, to vent and mitigate the harmful effects of the shattering glass.

  • Instruct all personnel securing the premises and evacuees not to touch anything that looks suspicious.

  • If an explosion occurs and evacuation is affected, give appropriate instructions to re-direct evacuees to safer/alternative routes of escape.

  • Tune in to the television or radio for advice from the authorities.
 
     
 

If an Explosion Occurs

Alerting

Alert the authorities. Call the Police at 999 or the SCDF at 995. If you witnessed an explosion, tell the Police what you saw.

  
     
 

In an Evacuation under Such Circumstances, Remember to...

  
 

Closely follow instructions and directions

  
  closely follow instructions and directions  
     
 

Dos

  • Stay calm; do not run around in panic.

  • Evacuate calmly and quickly as for a normal fire evacuation (At least 500m away from affected area).

  • Bring along your personal belongings when evacuating.

  • Listen to announcements for instructions.

  • Closely follow the instructions and directions given by security personnel and emergency responders.

  
     
 

Don’t use your cell phone

  
  dont_use_your_cell_phone  
     
 

Don’ts

  • Do not use the lifts as you could get trapped in them.

  • Do not prop open any fire doors.

  • Do not use portable radios or cell phones.

  • Do not operate any electrical equipment.

  • Do not spread rumours.

  
     
 

Post Blast Hazards

Beware of post blast hazards such as

  • Collapsed walls
  • Overhanging slabs
  • Damaged Structures
  • Buckled columns / beams
  • Craters in ground
  • Shattered glass panels / broken glass
  • Sharp edged debris
  • Fires due to heat of explosion
  • Smoke and toxic fumes
  • Water and gas leaks due to damaged utility pipes
  • Exposed live electric cables
  • Potential secondary bomb devices
  
     
 

Rendering Assistance

  • If you are trained in first aid, stabilize seriously injured casualties in place until emergency responders arrive. Remove casualties only if there is imminent danger.

  • If you are not trained, do not remain in the hazard area to treat casualties. Note the location of seriously injured casualties and report their location to medical professionals arriving on scene.

  • Do not enter a structurally damaged building to treat or rescue injured/trapped people.

  • Ensure your own safety before trying to help others.

  
     
 

If you are hurt

  • If you are able to evacuate, move away slowly from the affected area.

  • If you are unable to evacuate, signal your location to emergency responders.

  • Do not move unnecessarily as you may aggravate your injuries. The medical professionals will stabilize your condition and evacuate you from the affected area.

  
     
 

If you are trapped in a building

  • Stay put and protect your head and face from shattered glass or falling objects.

  • Move away from unstable objects.

  • Brace yourself against walls without glass windows or mounted shelves.

 
     
 

If you are trapped in debris

  • Use a flashlight, if possible, to signal your location to emergency responders.

  • Avoid unnecessary movement.

  • Periodically move your fingers and toes to ensure blood circulation.

  • Cover nose and mouth with anything you have in hand as a filter.

  • Tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can pinpoint your location.

  • If possible, use a whistle to signal rescuers.

  • Shout only as a last resort. Shouting may weaken yourself as well as cause you to inhale dangerous amount of dust and smoke.

  
     
 

If you are not in the affected area

  • If you are not at the affected area, stay away from explosion site.

  • Remain calm.

  • Do not call 999 or 995 unless there is an emergency.

  • Tune in to local radio or television for advice and updates.

  
     
 

Dirty Bomb Threat

  
  dirty_bomb_threat

Dirty bombs use conventional explosives (e.g. TNT) spiked with any available radioactive material (e.g. Cesium 137). Once detonated, the harmful radioactive material is dispersed into the air, resulting in radiological contamination over a wide area.

  
     
 

Types of Radiation

The three main types of ionizing radiation emitted from a dirty bomb explosion are:

  
 
types_of_radiation
  
     
 

Alpha radiation

  • Does not penetrate the human skin to damage the cells in our body.

  • Can seriously harm us if alpha emitting materials are inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through open wounds.

Beta radiation

  • Can penetrate the human skin.

  • May cause skin injury if high levels of beta contaminants are allowed to remain on the skin for a prolonged period of time.

Gamma radiation

  • Is a long range and penetrating electromagnetic radiation that harms the cells of the body.

  • Is able to travel many feet in the air and many inches into human tissue.

  • Most materials and clothing provide no protection for the skin. Dense materials such as lead are required to block off gamma radiation.

  
     
 

Effects of Radiation

  
 

Nausea, vomiting and skin burns may indicate radiation exposure

  
  nausea_vomiting  
     
 

  • Exposure to radiation damages the cells in our body.

  • If only a few cells are killed, our body can replace the dead cells and there will be no visible sign of ill effects.

  • If sufficient numbers of cells are killed, the organs in our body will stop functioning properly. The victim will show signs of radiation sickness that may include nausea, vomiting, inflammation of exposed areas and skin burns.

  • Sometimes, the cells are damaged rather than killed by radiation. This may lead to abnormal cells that exhibit a rapid growth rate or what is commonly known as cancerous growth.

  • The signs and symptoms of abnormal cell growth may not be apparent until many years later.

  
     
 

Possible Signs of a Dirty Bomb Attack

Injuries include burns and shrapnel wounds
injuries_includes_burns

  • A dirty bomb explosion sounds and looks like a
    conventional explosion.

  • Casualties are likely to suffer from blast injuries which include burns and shrapnel wounds.

  • Specialised instruments are required to detect
    the presence of radioactive material in a dirty bomb attack. Otherwise, it is almost impossible to recognise a dirty bomb attack from a conventional bomb explosion.
   

In the Event of a Dirty Bomb Attack

Move upwind and uphill away from hazard
move_upwind

If you are outside and there is an explosion/radiation release nearby:

  • Cover your nose and mouth.

  • Move away from the immediate area and get at least 100 metres upwind and uphill away from the hazard.

  • If you are downwind, move away from the direction of the wind.

 

Stay indoors if building is stable
stay_indoors

If there is an explosion / radiation release near your building:

  • Check if your building has been damaged.

  • If your building is stable, stay where you are. Close all windows and doors and turn off air-conditioners and / or other ventilation systems.

  • Otherwise, evacuate the damaged building, cover your nose and mouth and move at least 100 metres upwind and uphill away from the hazard.
   

Evacuate building
evacuate_building

If there is an explosion / radiation release in your building:

  • Cover your nose and mouth.

  • Leave the building immediately.

  • If you have not been exposed, move at least 100 metres upwind and uphill away from the hazard.

  • If you have been exposed, wait to be decontaminated by the SCDF personnel.
 
     
 

Limiting Radiation Exposure

  
 

Seek shelter in a building a safe distance away

  
  seek_shelter  
     
 

To limit the amount of radiation you are exposed to, think about shielding, distance and time:

Shielding : Seek shelter in buildings or other structures that will shield you from the diation.

Distance : The further away you are from the blast and the radioactive contamination, the lower your radiation exposure will be.

Time : Minimise time spent in radioactive-contaminated areas so as to lower total radiation exposure.

  
     
 

If You Think You have been Exposed to Radiation

  
  if_you_think_you_have_been_exposed  
     
 

  1. If facilities are available, remove your clothing and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Saving contaminated clothing will allow testing for radiation exposure.

  2. Take a shower to wash off dirt and dust that may contain radioactive materials.

  3. Seek immediate medical attention.

NOTE:
Tune in to the local radio or TV channels for advisories from emergency response and health authorities. If radioactive material is released, local news broadcasts will advise you where to report for radiation monitoring and other tests to determine you have in fact been exposed and the steps to take to protect your health.

  
     
 
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