In most cases, bomb threats are intended to disrupt business operations. Despite this fact, all bomb threats should be taken seriously. It is important to obtain as much information as possible, accurately relay this information to both the police and building management, and implement a cautious, systematic response plan.

Law Enforcement Authorities	911
TriStar Stonecrest Security	(615) 768-2000
HCA Property Services	(866) 708-6358
Cushman & Wakefield Property Management	(615) 459-4299

It is Cushman & Wakefield's policy to cooperate fully with law enforcement and fire department personnel. If the police or fire departments recommend the evacuation of the building or portions of the building, this information will be relayed to tenant representatives immediately. In many cases, law enforcement and fire department personnel will not offer recommendations on whether or not to evacuate the premises. In those cases, each tenant must evaluate the available information and form their own decision to evacuate or not evacuate the building. Cushman & Wakefield personnel will relay all available information regarding the threat to each tenant representative, but Cushman & Wakefield personnel will not offer any recommendations to evacuate or not evacuate unless instructed to do so by authorized law enforcement or fire department personnel.

According to Bomb and Physical Security Planning, a publication by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, there are three possible responses to a bomb threat:

• Ignore the threat.
• Evacuate Immediately.
• Search and evacuate if warranted.

Ignoring the threat poses obvious risks. While statistical evidence confirms that most bomb threats are not real, there have also been instances where bombs were found in response to a threat. Ignoring the threat may also unintentionally convey a message to employees that their safety is not a primary concern.

Evacuating immediately based on every bomb threat also carries certain risks. The disruptive effect on your operations is obvious. According to the ATF publication, "If the bomb threat caller knows that your policy is to evacuate each time a call is made, he/she can continually call and force your business to a standstill." In addition, a bomber intent on causing physical injury could place a bomb near an exit route and then call in the threat.