Bombs: Defusing the Threat.

Bombs: Defusing the Threat by William J. Borbidge III, Institute of Police Technology and Management, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, 1999.

Bomb threats and actual bombings are on the rise in the United States and have been for several years. Businesses and government agencies that may fall victim to such criminal acts should be aware of this fact and take steps to prepare themselves and their employees in advance. The author begins with this thesis and then proceeds to offer sound, easily understood advice on how to prepare for and respond to all aspects of a bomb threat, an unexploded improvised explosive device, or an actual bombing.

In the early chapters, the author addresses bomb threats--who makes such threats, the types of threats, the need to remain calm when presented with a threat, and how to respond to a bomb threat. For example, the author presents not only a list of suggested questions to ask a person who has telephoned in a bomb threat, but also explains the reasoning behind asking each question, as well as providing two different bomb threat checklists, suitable for reproduction. After explaining why an organization should have a bomb threat response plan in place, the author provides a list of possible responses, along with the pros and cons inherent to each.

One chapter covers searching for explosive devices, starting off with a simple, yet vital question--why search? The author offers sound, succinct reasons and then thoroughly covers the "nuts and bolts" of searching an area for hidden improvised explosive devices. Following this, the author explains all of the aspects of conducting a safe, effective, rapid evacuation, from fairly obvious requirements--choosing a route for evacuees to depart and accounting for all personnel--to not so obvious details, such as the need to avoid parking lots and the establishment of alternate command posts, and stresses the need for practicing bomb threat evacuation drills.

Because bombs can enter a facility in a variety of ways, including via the mail, the author addresses how to evaluate a package, what to look for in a mailed explosive device, and what to do with such an item. Besides the importance of developing a bomb threat response plan, the author also equally stresses getting an accurate, realistic assessment of the level of the threat and the ability of the location to resist such attacks. The author offers some areas to examine, but freely admits that entire books have been dedicated to the subject. However, the points covered in this work offer an excellent starting point for examining an area's physical security.

The final chapter addresses what to do if a location falls victim to an actual bombing. This book offers excellent advice on how to mitigate additional damage and loss of life, as well as how to recover from the bombing and resume normal operations.

This book is excellent for anyone interested in preparing a comprehensive plan for dealing with bomb threats, unexploded improvised explosive devices, and actual bombings. The topic is not pleasant, yet the author provides excellent advice in an easy to understand, often humorous, fashion. Readers can read the book quickly and obtain invaluable information on planning for an event that everyone thinks will not happen to them. The author ends the book with a stark question that puts such planning into perspective. "Somewhere in the world someone is building a bomb. Isn't it time to begin building your own defenses against this very real threat?"