Emergency Procedures

It is possible, although highly unlikely, that any faculty, staff, or student might someday receive a threatening telephone call. 

In all cases

• Stay calm
• Listen carefully and take notes. Be polite and show interest. Try to keep the caller talking so that you can gather more information.
• Call 9-911 from SMCCCD phones (911 from non-campus phones). If possible, signal a colleague to phone 911 for you (out of earshot of the caller), or call as soon as the caller hangs up. The 911 dispatcher will notify appropriate law enforcement and public safety agencies.
• Use the Phone Threat Report on the following page to record caller information and as many details as you can remember. This information will be needed by police interviewers.
• Alert your supervisor to the situation. Do not discuss the threat with others.
• Follow instructions from the 911 dispatcher

If evacuation is ordered

• Make a note of, but do not touch, anything unusual or out of place in your work area
• Report anything unusual to 9-911 from SMCCCD phones (911 from non-campus phones)
• Consult the Evacuation Procedures section of this booklet for additional information
• Go directly to the designated Emergency Assembly Point (EAP) for the building you are in and check in.

Phone threat report

Remain calm, be courteous, listen to, and do not interrupt the caller. Get the attention of another person – instruct them to call the police. Be sure they call the police out of earshot of the caller.

Bomb threats usually come by telephone. If you receive a bomb threat call, remain calm and obtain as much information as possible from the caller.

Phone Threat/Bomb Threat

• Exact Date and Time of Call
• Extension that call came in on
• Person receiving call
• Caller’s telephone number (if displayed)
• Exact words of person placing call

Do not hang up the phone. Leave the line open.

If the caller makes a “bomb threat,” try to keep the caller on the phone and talking by asking the following questions:

• When will the bomb explode?
• What kind of bomb is it?
• What will cause it to explode?
• Where is it right now?
• What does it look like?
• Who placed the bomb?
• Why did they place the bomb?
• What is your address?
• What is your name?

Additional Information

Description of Caller: Male or Female
Approximate Age: Adult or Juvenile

• Notify the SMCCCD Public Safety at (650) 738-7000 immediately to give the information you have obtained. Describe the caller’s voice, any background noises you heard, and the exact wording of the message.
• Notify your supervisor, a building representative, and/or the Dean’s Office at the building where you are located.
• Do not touch suspicious packages. Be sure to inform the Public Safety or Police of any suspicious packages, items, or people in the area.
• Follow instructions from the Building Safety and Security Representative and the first responders in regards to evacuation assembly areas.