What to Do if You Receive a Bomb Threat

If you receive a bomb threat by phone:

  • Remain calm and listen to the caller carefully.
    • Do not interrupt the caller except to obtain information about the bomb.
  • DO NOT hang up after the threatening caller has ended the call. The call may be able to be traced.
  • Call 911.
  • Have threat-related information available to answer the dispatcher's questions:
    • Your name (speak slowly and spell your last name).
    • Your location (St. Cloud State University; building name and address — see the Campus map; building addresses are listed on the individual building pages).
    • Identify the emergency (bomb threat received by phone).
    • Request officer response (give the specific location).
    • Provide a callback number (landline or cellular phone).
    • Notify Public Safety (320-308-3333).
    • DO NOT discuss the threat with others unless directed to do so by authorities.

Suspicious Package or Circumstances

Notify St. Cloud State University Public Safety (320-308-3333).

  • DO NOT touch, move, or open a suspicious item.
  • DO NOT alarm others or cause panic; DO NOT discuss the situation unless directed to do so by authorities.
  • DO NOT initiate a fire alarm unless authorized to do so (some explosive devices are sound sensitive and can be detonated by loud noise).

Bomb Threat Checklist

Information to note:

  1. Call date
  2. Call time
  3. Exact words of the caller

Statements by caller or questions to ask (if possible):

  1. When is the bomb going to explode?
  2. Where is the bomb?
  3. What kind of bomb is it?
  4. What will cause it to explode?
  5. Did you place the bomb?
  6. Why?
  7. Did the caller identify themself by name or affiliation?

Description of caller:

  1. Gender
  2. Speech pattern or distinguishing vocal characteristics
  3. Voice (e.g., calm, rapid, slurred, uneducated, angry, excited)
  4. Background noises (e.g., electronics, music, traffic, horns or sirens, people, aircraft)
  5. Person receiving the call
  6. Phone number at which the call was received

REMEMBER: Stay calm. Do NOT hang up the phone after the call has ended. Use another phone to call 911 and campus Public Safety (320-308-3333).