What is the proper protocol when a bomb threat is received in a courthouse?

• A. Notify supervisors; evacuate or shelter-in-place per policy; search perimeter only with authorized personnel; coordinate with bomb squad.
• B. Immediately search every room with all staff; detain potential suspects; call the media; ignore supervisors.
• C. Lock all doors and do nothing else; wait for police to arrive; no action.
• D. Alert only the bailiffs; do not evacuate; continue proceedings.

Answer: (A)

When a bomb threat hits a courthouse, safety hinges on following the designated emergency protocol and using the right people for the right tasks. The correct approach is to promptly notify supervisors or the incident commander, follow the courthouse’s policy on evacuation or sheltering-in-place, and involve trained personnel to conduct a perimeter search while coordinating with the bomb squad. This sequence keeps people away from danger, preserves the integrity of the incident response, and ensures actions are taken by those with the proper training and authority.

Why this is the best fit: it aligns with established safety procedures, leverages the command structure, and uses authorized personnel to perform searches and coordinate with the bomb squad, reducing risk and confusion during a high-stress situation.

Why the other options don’t fit: performing an untrained, room-by-room staff search is unsafe and improper; detaining suspects and calling the media ignores safety, policy, and proper channels; locking doors and doing nothing else delays a response and puts people at greater risk; alerting only bailiffs and continuing proceedings while not evacuating fails to protect the crowd and staff when a threat is present.