Table Of ContentBOMBS:
DEFUSING THE THREAT
William J. Borbidge Ill
IPIM Institute of Police Technology
and Management
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BOMBS: DEFUSING THE THREAT
William J. Borbidge Ill
Publisher:
Institute of Police Technology
and Management
University of North Florida
UNIVERSITY OF 12000 Alumni Drive
FLORIDA JTealc.k so(n9v0i4l)l e6,2 0F-l4o7r8i6da 32224 Strua
DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this manual is based to the best of IPTM's knowledge on the
current practices in the investigation of incidents involving bomb threats and bombs.
However, neither IPTM nor the author assumes any liability in connection with the use of
this material. Every acceptable procedure may not have been presented and some
circumstances may require additional or substitute procedures. Also, statutes, ordinances
and organizational policies differ widely and wherever these are in conflict with the
information contained herein, the former should govern.
COPYRIGHT
Copyright 1999 by William J. Borbidge Ill. All rights reserved. No part of this publication
may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
to include photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,
without prior permission in writing from the author.
ISBN 1-884566-34-0
DEDICATION
This manual is dedicated to my father, William J. Borbidge Jr., the first bomb-tech in the
family, and to all civilian and military EOD professionals who learn, train and risk their lives
to protect the rest of us.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
| would like to thank the following people:
James Creighton, Catherine Forscht, Joan Walsh Smith and William Smith for
their advice, suggestions and support,
Jenny Goldman for suggesting this book,
Inspectors Thomas Anderson and Paul Gausch of the United States Postal
Inspection Service for their advice on mail bombs,
Captain William Markert of the Philadelphia Police Bomb Disposal Unit for his
guidance, support, professionalism and friendship,
My father, William J. Borbidge Jr. for his suggestions, advice and enthusiastic
support and, especially,
My wife Jeannie for her support, help, guidance and love, but most of all for
putting up with me throughout the writing of this book and believing in me.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
William J. Borbidge III has been a police officer with the Philadelphia Police Department
since 1981. In 1986 he transferred to the department's Bomb Disposal Unit and has been
there ever since. Officer Borbidge is a second generation Bomb Tech who has received
training from the FBI and US Army's Hazardous Devices School as well as post-blast
investigation training from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the US Postal
Inspection Service. He is a licensed blaster in the State of Pennsylvania, having qualified
for the highest level of that certification offered by the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Resources.
Holding an Associates Degree from Penn State University in Letters, Arts and Sciences,
Officer Borbidge is a certified Municipal Police Instructor in Pennsylvania and has given
classes in Explosive Recognition and Bomb Threat Management to law enforcement
officers, emergency response agencies and private corporations. He has been the
Delaware Valley Chapter Director for the International Association of Bomb Technicians
and Investigators since 1993 and has had articles published in that association's bi-
monthly newsletter, The Detonator.
Officer Borbidge is responsible for introducing legislation in Pennsylvania that makes it
illegal for anyone to manufacture or possess a fake or hoax bomb. He is currently
compiling a collection of improvised bomb disposal tools and procedures to be distributed
to bomb technicians throughout the United States and allied nations.
During his years with the Philadelphia Bomb Squad, Officer Borbidge has responded to
over seven hundred bomb-related assignments.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
Introduction
Chapter
1 Receiving the Threat
Why a Bomb Threat
Who Makes Bomb Threats?
Nonspecific vs. Specific Threats
Remaining Calm
Telephoned Threats
Written Threats
In-Person or Verbal Threats
More Threats
2 Responding to the Threat
What Choices Do You Have?
Ignore?
Search?
Possible Responses to a Bomb Threat
Bomb Threat Response Plan
3 Searching
Why Search?
Selling the Search
How to Search
Focus Your Attention
Equipment Needed
Where to Start
Types of Searches
Coordinating Search Efforts
The Most Important Thing About Searching!
Practice
4 Evacuating
Informing Everyone
Evacuation Routes
Who Goes First?
Where Do Evacuated Personnel Go?
Evacuation Always Policy
Evacuate Immediately - Return and Search
Partial Evacuation
Bomb Outside the Building
Critical Facilities
Size of Bomb vs. Size of Facility
Evacuating from a Vehicle Bomb
Chemical or Biological Weapons
To Leave or Not to Leave
5 Bombs in the Mail
Evaluate the Threat
Mail Bomb Indicators
X-ray Machines
Fake Mail
Other Dangers in the Mail
Improving Physical Security
Evaluate Threat Level and Vulnerability
Physical Security Suggestions
Think Like a Bomber
Document Your Findings
Test Your Defenses - Practice
7 After the Bomb, Disaster Recovery
What's Most Important
The Plan
Prepare for the Worst
If It Happens
Coordinate with Government Agencies
Getting Back on Your Feet
Protect Your People
Closing Comment
Bibliography
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