Suspicious Package and Evacuation Decision
You are a security guard at a mid-sized office building. At 10:00, a receptionist calls you to the lobby to look at a backpack left near the entrance. The backpack is black, has a logo, and is unzipped slightly. There is no one around it. The building has about 200 employees. Your post orders say: 'If you see a suspicious package, do not touch it; secure the area and call 911.' You have a radio and a phone. The lobby is busy with people coming and going. You also know that evacuation can cause panic and disruption, and that false alarms can be costly. You have not received any threats. The backpack has been there for about 10 minutes according to the receptionist. You are not trained in bomb recognition. You must decide whether to evacuate, secure the area, or just monitor.
1. What steps should you take and in what order?
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First, do not touch the backpack. Treat it as suspicious until proven otherwise. Your post orders are clear: do not touch, secure the area, call 911. You should immediately secure the immediate area by calmly asking people to move away from the lobby, at least 100 metres if possible, without causing panic. Use barriers or tape if available. Do not use your radio near the package if you suspect it might be an explosive device; move away before transmitting. Call 911 and report: location, description of the package, time discovered, and actions taken. Then notify your supervisor and building management. Consider whether to evacuate the building. Evacuation may be warranted if the package is deemed a credible threat, but that decision should be made by police. You can initiate a partial evacuation of the lobby and adjacent areas as a precaution. Do not activate the fire alarm unless directed by police or if there is an immediate threat. Keep people calm and informed. Document everything: time, description, actions, and who you notified. Your role is to secure and report, not to investigate. The safety of occupants is paramount, but overreacting can cause injury during evacuation. Follow police direction when they arrive.
2. How do you handle the crowd and communication during this incident?
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Communication is critical. You should use clear, calm, and direct language. Avoid alarming terms like 'bomb'; instead say 'we need to clear this area for a safety check.' Direct people to alternate exits or routes. If you decide to evacuate the lobby, guide people to a safe assembly area away from the building, and ask them to remain there until further notice. Use staff to help direct people, especially those with disabilities. Keep your radio communications brief and avoid using radios near the package. If you have a PA system, use it to give instructions. Designate someone to meet police and guide them to the package. Keep a log of events. Do not spread misinformation; if you don't know, say so and that police are on the way. After the incident, participate in a debrief and write a report. Your demeanor should inspire confidence, not fear. Remember that panic can cause more injuries than the threat itself. By managing the crowd calmly, you fulfill your duty to protect life and property while minimizing disruption.