Code Purple: Bomb Threat Procedure - WA Health · Code Purple – Bomb Threat. Threats consist of: • telephone bomb threat • written bomb threat • discovery of a bomb, suspicious

Date of Last Review: April 2017 Page 1 of 18 Date Next Review: April 2022

Effective: 15 November 2017 WACHS MIDWEST

Code Purple: Bomb Threat Procedure

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CODE PURPLE: BOMB THREAT

1. Introduction - Principles ................................................................................................. 2 2. Telephone Bomb Threat ................................................................................................ 2 3. Written Bomb Threat ..................................................................................................... 3 4. Discovery of a Bomb, Suspicious Package or Unexplained Object ............................... 3 5. Evacuation .................................................................................................................... 4 6. Conducting a Search ..................................................................................................... 5 7. Vehicles ........................................................................................................................ 6 8. Following an Explosion .................................................................................................. 6 9. Staff Response Following Explosion Flow Chart ........................................................... 7 10. Roles and Responsibilities ........................................................................................... 8 11. Response ...................................................................................................................... 8 12. Post Incident Support .................................................................................................... 8 13. Definitions ...................................................................................................................... 914. Compliance ................................................................................................................... 9 15. Evaluation ...................................................................................................................... 916. Source Documents ...................................................................................................... 10

Appendix A: Action Cards - All staff receiving bomb threat by phone/mail ............... 11 - 12

Appendix B: Hospital Emergency Response Team and Contact Numbers .............. 13 - 19

Code Purple – Bomb Threat Procedure - Midwest

Date of Last Review: November 2017 Page 2 of 18 Date Next Review: July 2022

1. Introduction - Principles A guiding principle of the WA Country Health Service Midwest is to encourage and support a safe workplace by developing and implementing policies and procedures that assist staff to identify and successfully manage events that may threaten staff, patients and visitors of any Midwest health facility. Australian Standard: 2010, Planning for Emergencies – Health Care Facilities. AS 4083-2010 provides standard codes for hospital emergencies. Compliance with these codes is vital for successful identification and management of emergencies such as Code Purple – Bomb Threat. Threats consist of: · telephone bomb threat · written bomb threat · discovery of a bomb, suspicious package or unexplained object. These threats are designed to: · disrupt activities of the service · seek revenge · seek attention e.g. to a cause. To minimise this risk, all health service staff are required to wear clearly visible identification, ensure site security, adhere to safety and evacuation policies and procedures, practice evacuation techniques (Code Orange) and recognise and respond to early signs of danger. This procedure supports staffs who believe they, patients and/or visitors are at risk of personal threat of actual physical harm from an explosive event or device that may threaten their safety or the integrity of buildings and surrounds. The need for evacuation in the event of a bomb threat or alert is not as clear-cut as in the case of fire. The Hospital Emergency Coordinator (Operations Manager during office hours and Clinical Nurse Manager after hours) or senior staff member on duty will assume responsibility. When a Code Purple bomb threat requires evacuation (Code Orange), personal items such as handbags, brief cases, etc. must be taken when evacuating the building.

ALERT: Two way radios, Digital Enhanced Cordless

Telecommunications (DECT) phones, pagers and mobile phones ARE NOT TO BE USED during any bomb threat alert as operation of this type of equipment may well initiate a bomb blast, should a bomb be present.



2. Telephone Bomb Threat

· An accurate analysis of the telephone threat can provide valuable information on

which to base recommendations, action and subsequent investigation. · The person receiving the bomb threat by telephone should not disconnect the call

and, as soon as possible, complete the information required on the bomb threat card - see Appendix A .

· Upon notification of a threat or discovery of a suspect object, the senior staff member on duty is to immediately inform the police. No details are to be given to anyone other than the police unless authorised.

3. Written Bomb Threat · If a bomb threat is received in writing, it should be kept, including any envelope or

container it was found in. · Once the message is recognised as a bomb threat, further handling of the letter

and envelope is to be avoided as this will be collected by the Police as evidence. · Every possible effort should be made to retain evidence such as possible

fingerprint(s), handwriting or typewriting, paper and postmarks. · Such evidence should be protected by placing it in a plastic envelope/bag.

4. Discovery of a Bomb, Suspicious Package or Unexplained Object

· If a suspected bomb or suspicious package/unexplained object is found, do not

touch or disturb it or let anyone else go near it. Notify your line manager ASAP in person only (use runner) (do NOT use a mobile phone or 2-way radio paging system DECT phone or wireless computers).

· The line manager is to contact and alert the Hospital Emergency Coordinator (Carnarvon & Geraldton, in Regional Sites this person is either the Nurse Manager or DoN/HSM) of the situation ASAP (use runner) (do NOT use a mobile phone or 2-way radio paging system DECT phone or wireless computers).

· Coordinate and move patients and staff away from immediate vicinity of the suspicious item and await further orders from the Hospital Emergency Coordinator regarding possible evacuation. This is stage 1 evacuation completed.



5. Evacuation · Except in the case of imminent threat, the decision to evacuate the hospital or

health facility or to search for the bomb is to be made by the Hospital Emergency Coordinator (Carnarvon & Geraldton - Operations Manager during office hours and After Hours Hospital Coordinator out of hours – in Regional Sites this person is either the Nurse Manager or DoN/HSM) in liaison with the police.

· Evacuation stages consist of:

· Stage 1 evacuation – involves moving persons from immediate danger to the next safest place, usually beyond the first set of smoke/fire doors. (usually initiated by line manager prior to Area Warden arriving to location)

· Stage 2 evacuation – is moving to the next safest fire compartment beyond the 2nd set of smoke/fire doors.

· Stage 3 evacuation – is moving outside the building to a safe location at a designated evacuation assembly point.

· In the event of an evacuation (Code Orange), the following procedures should be

employed: § Chief, Deputy and Area Wardens will assume roles § Area Warden is to commence the Stages of evacuation (1-3) as directed by

Chief Warden (Authority is given by Hospital Emergency Coordinator) § Evacuation, in the order of :

- those nearest the danger - ambulant patients and visitors - ambulant patients with assistance - patients confined to bed

§ When assembled in safe area, conduct roll call of patients, staff and visitors § Notify Chief Warden of any missing persons § Await further instruction from the Chief Warden/Deputy Warden

Note: All media calls are to be referred to the Hospital Emergency Coordinator or

delegate.



6. Conducting a Search

· The aim of the search is to identify any object which is not normally found in that

area or location, or for which an owner is not readily identifiable or becomes suspect for any other reason e.g. suspiciously labelled (similar to that described in the threat), unusual size, shape and sound and presence of pieces of tape, wire, string or explosive wrappings.

· If any suspect object is found, it should be reported immediately to the senior staff member on duty that will ensure it is not touched or moved, and that the area is kept clear.

· A formal detailed search should only be conducted by people with formal search technique training applying discipline, logic and initiative. This will occur after a general search of the area by staff.

· Staff selected for general search duty will be familiar with the particular section of the hospital and should follow these guidelines: § Commence at the outside of the room and work towards the centre. § Once complete the searcher should start at the lowest level and work to the

top. § Look for objects, which are foreign to their surroundings, unusual in

appearance, obviously hidden or of questionable nature.

· Explosive devices are most likely deposited in public areas such as: § Foyers/waiting rooms § Toilets § Passageways § Rubbish bins

· Searchers should look to the following likely hiding places: § Look for carry bags and packages left in waiting areas § Look in furniture and potted plants § Toilets to which the public has access § Toilet tank reservoirs § Lockers and filing cabinets § Behind sinks and plumbing (devices could be suspended) § Inside stoves, refrigerators, televisions, radios and cupboards § Cleaner’s cupboard, storage cupboards etc. § Ventilation and exhaust ducts and false ceilings

· Outside building § In rubbish bins and behind signs § In electrical mains/meter boxes § On window ledges § In pump enclosures, garden trees and bushes etc.

· All searchers are to proceed with the utmost caution.



7. Vehicles

· Parked motor vehicles are also suspect. Ownership of vehicles parked in close proximity to the hospital should be ascertained as soon as possible.

8. Following an Explosion

· If a bomb explodes, depending upon the extent of injury or damage, the Hospital Emergency Coordinator shall notify the relevant external emergency services for assistance, e.g. police, fire brigade, ambulance or other health care facilities.

· Should an explosion occur, staff must not tamper with the debris. · Evacuate ambulant patients, and non-injured patients or visitors as directed by the

Hospital Emergency Coordinator. · The area should be secured for police investigation. · No-one should enter the area following evacuation as building structural damage

may have occurred including searching for injured persons until instructed by the Hospital Emergency Coordinator or Police on advice of the Department Fire and Emergency Services.


Telecommunications (DECT) phones, pagers and mobile phones ARE NOT TO BE USED during any bomb threat alert as operation of this type of equipment may well initiate a bomb blast, should a bomb be present.



9. Staff Response Following An Explosion

In the event of an explosion, staff in the immediate area must limit any contact with debris

so as not to disturb evidence

Staff in the immediate area are to notify line manager in person (use runner) Hospital Emergency

Coordinator (HEC) is to:

1. Muster all Wardens to WIP control points using PA system

2. Establish Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)

3. Contact Police, Fire Brigade and Ambulance by land line phone only as required.

4. Update the Regional Health Disaster Coordinator about incident and actions

The line manager is to notify the Hospital Emergency Coordinator ASAP (use runner) with location of

explosion and initiate Stage 1 evacuation as required. Assess injured patients and call Code Blue if required

Area Warden is to initiate Stage 3 evacuation and secure the area as advised by Chief Warden on authority of Hospital Emergency Coordinator and

police for investigation

No one should re-enter the area/building following evacuation unless instructed by the Chief Warden on authority of

Hospital Emergency Coordinator or police - as structural damage may have occurred

Refer to Code Orange - Evacuation Procedure or Code Blue – Medical Emergency Response

Area Warden is to initiate Stage 1-2 evacuation advised by Chief Warden on authority of the

Hospital Emergency Coordinator

All Wardens are to muster to WIP control points



10. Roles and Responsibilities Authority for managing the provision of essential health care services during a bomb threat rests with the Hospital Emergency Coordinator (or Hospital Emergency Executive or delegate). However bomb threat safety is all the responsibility of all employers and employees. In each facility there is a designated Hospital Emergency Response Team. Although it is recognised that smaller regional sites may only have limited staff.

11. Response

Announcing the Code

· When the Hospital Emergency Coordinator has been informed of the hospital site alert status Code Purple – Bomb Threat and approved an announcement, Wardens are to be called to muster to WIP control points using PA system. Staff should be notified by landline if required. In general public address (PA) system should not be used for specific information so as not to alarm patients and visitors.

Meetings

· The Hospital Emergency Coordinator is to raise the Emergency Operations Centre if time permits to assess any response required to the threat.

12. Post Incident Support

· Incidents impact on people in many different ways and staff have a duty to look out for the wellbeing of themselves, fellow workers and patients. Counselling is available to people adversely affected and may be instigated in several ways, e.g.

- Staff should inform their Line Manager if they seek counselling.

- The Hospital Emergency Coordinator and Line Manager are to consider what counselling and support may be offered.

- Staff need to have an increased awareness of possible behavioural changes in people around them who have been involved in an incident and who may be suffering from stress, and discuss any concerns with their Line Manager.

· For quality improvement purposes, ensure that pertinent actions/issues and comments from actual or training events have been completed for the review process in time for the debriefing or by the next day.


Telecommunications (DECT) phones, pagers and mobile phones ARE NOT to be used during any bomb threat alert as operation of this type of equipment may well initiate a bomb blast, should a bomb be present.



13. Definitions

ASAP As soon as possible DECT Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications HEC Hospital Emergency Coordinator EOC Emergency Operations Centre PA Public Address

14. Compliance

Failure to comply with this policy may constitute a breach of the WA Health Code of Conduct (Code). The Code is part of the Employment Policy Framework issued pursuant to section 26 of the Health Services Act 2016 (HSA) and is binding on all WACHS staff which for this purpose includes trainees, students, volunteers, researchers, contractors for service (including all visiting health professionals and agency staff) and persons delivering training or education within WACHS. WACHS staff are reminded that compliance with all policies is mandatory.

15. Evaluation Monitoring of compliance with this document is to be carried out by the Hospital Emergency Coordinator annually.

16. Source Documents

· Australian Standard 2010, Planning for Emergencies – Health Care Facilities. AS 4083-2010. Standards Australia Limited, NSW. Available from: Standards Australia Online [12November 2014]

· Australian Standard 2010, Planning for Emergencies in Facilities. AS 3745-2010. Standards Australia Limited, NSW. Available from: Standards Australia Online [13 September 2015].

· Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA 2013, Department of Fire and Emergency Services [05 July 2017].

· ACHS EQuIP National Update Fire Inspection Report for non-healthcare buildings where the occupants do not sleep. No. 03.1 April 2013 www.achs.org.au [05 July March 2017]

17. Related Policy Documents

WACHS Emergency (Disaster) Management Arrangements Policy

This document can be made available in alternative formats on request for a person with a disability

Contact: Project Officer Emergency Management (D.Goodwin) Directorate: Operations TRIM Record # ED-CO-XX-XXXXX

Version: 1.00 Date Published: 17 November 2017 Copyright to this material is vested in the State of Western Australia unless otherwise indicated. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced or re-used for any purposes whatsoever without written permission of the State of Western Australia.

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https://www.slp.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/main_mrtitle_13761_homepage.html

http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/safetyinformation/fire

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APPENDIX A: BOMB THREAT CARD

EXACT WORDING OF THREAT

QUESTIONS TO ASK

WHEN is the bomb going to explode? WHERE is it right now? WHAT does it look like?

WHAT kind of bomb is it?

WHAT will cause it to explode?

WHY? DID YOU PLACE THE BOMB? WHAT IS YOUR ADDRESS? WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

CALLER'S VOICE / SPEECH Calm Nasal Ragged Clearing Throat Loud Angry Stutter Laughter Raspy Lisp Deep Slurred Disguised Crying Slow Familiar Distinct Normal Rapid Excited Deep Breathing Accent If voice familiar, who did it sound like?

THREAT LANGUAGE Irrational Well Spoken (Educated) Read by Threat Maker Incoherent Taped Message

BACKGROUND NOISES Street Noises Music Animal Noises STD Tone Crockery Motor Clear House Noises Voices Public Phones Static Factory Familiar Voices Office Machinery P A System Machinery

OTHER:



CALLER

SEX: Male / Female AGE: RACE:

ADMINISTRATIVE DATA Number at which call received: Time of call

Length of call Date: Action/filed:

Printed name: Position:

Signature: Date

Person completing report: Name:

Signature: Date:

Site Tier 4 review and sign off: Date:

Email completed report to [email protected]

Please include location, date, and type of emergency code activated

in the email Subject line

mailto:[email protected]



APPENDIX B: HOSPITAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM AND CONTACT NUMBERS MIDWEST

BURRINGURRAH

REGIONAL DIRECTOR 0429 566 202

Emergency Response Team: Hours Title Contact (ext.)

Hospital Emergency Coordinator Reports to: Regional Director Position: Emergency Operations Centre (Executive Conference Room)

24/7 District Operations Manager

9941 0300 or 0427 700 695

Emergency Contacts Carnarvon Health Campus

B/H

A/H

District Director of Nursing Clinical Nurse Manager After Hours

9941 0302 or 0427 410 320 Kirk 412 0427 410 320

Burringurrah Police

9943 0644

CARNARVON




24/7 District Operations Manager

9941 0300 or 0427 700 695

Chief Warden (yellow vest and white cap) Reports to: Hospital Emergency Coordinator

B/H

A/H

Maintenance Manager Clinical Nurse Manager After Hours

9941 0361 or 0407 194 538 Kirk 412

Deputy Warden (yellow vest) Reports to: Chief Warden

B/H

A/H

ED Clinical Nurse Manager Orderly

9941 0356 – Kirk 369 323 or 324. 0407 981 093



CORAL BAY




24/7 District Operations Manager 9941 0300 or 0427 700 695

Emergency Contacts Carnarvon Health Campus

B/H

A/H

District Director of Nursing After Hours Hospital Coordinator District Director of Nursing

99410302 or 0427 410 320 Kirk 412 0427 410 320

Exmouth Police 9947 8700

CUE




24/7 Operations Manager 9956 2268 or 0417 980 835


B/H

A/H

CNS Community Health CNS Community Health

9963 0100 0429 074 809 9963 0100


B/H

Receptionist

9963 0100



DONGARA






B/H

A/H

Nurse Manager Nurse in Charge

9927 0207 0417 097 191 9927 0200


24/7 PSA 9927 0200

EXMOUTH




24/7 Clinical Nurse Manager (Exmouth) District Operations Manager

9949 3630 or 0417 949 148 9941 0300 or 0427 700 695


B/H

A/H

Maintenance Manager After Hours Manager

9949 3650 or 0417 947 213 9949 3631 or 9949 3632


B/H

A/H

Clinical Nurse Manager RN/EN on duty

9949 3630 or 0417 949 148 9949 3629 or 9949 3632



GERALDTON REGIONAL DIRECTOR 0429 566 202



24/7 Operations Manager 9956 2369


B/H

A/H

Maintenance Engineering Department Clinical Nurse Manager After Hours

9956 2280 9956 2245 or 9956 1837


B/H

A/H

ED Clinical Nurse Consultant All Purpose Orderly

9956 2351 9956 8716

KALBARRI






B/H

A/H


9937 0102 or 0429 370 103 9937 0100


24/7 PSA

9937 0100



MEEKATHARRA






B/H

A/H

Maintenance Officer Shift Coordinator

9981 0600 or 0418 938 601 9981 0600


B/H

A/H

Clinical Nurse Manager Registered Nurse

9981 0600 or 0447 871 071 9981 0600

MOUNT MAGNET






BH

Nurse Manager

9963 3100 0447 839 389


BH

Clinical Nurse

9963 3100



NORTHAMPTON






B/H

A/H


9934 0208 or 0429 445 779 9934 0200


24/7

PSA 9934 0200

SANDSTONE






B/H

CNS Community Health Nurse

9963 5808



YALGOO






24/7

CNS Community Health

9962 8600