Phone Threat

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 Stanford University phones (911 from non-campus or cell 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 response staff 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 Stanford University phones (911 from non-campus or cell 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

Instructions: Remain calm, be courteous, listen to, and do not interrupt the caller. Get attention of another person – give note to call police. Be sure they call the police out of earshot of 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 it explode? At what time?
• Where is it located? What floor? Room?
• What kind of bomb is it?
• What does it look like?
• What will cause it to explode?
• Why are you doing this?
• What is your name?
• Where are you calling from?
• Did you place the bomb?

Additional Information

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

Try to determine the following: