TWO EXPLANATIONS FOR BOMB THREAT CALLS ARE THAT (1) THE CALLER HAS DEFINITE KNOWLEDGE OR BELIEVES THAT AN EXPLOSIVE OR INCENDIARY DEVICE HAS BEEN OR WILL BE PLACED, AND THE DESIRE IS TO MINIMIZE PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE; AND (2) THE CALLER WANTS TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF ANXIETY AND PANIC WHICH WILL DISRUPT NORMAL ACTIVITIES IN THE INSTALLATION WHERE THE DEVICE IS PURPORTEDLY LOCATED. LINES OF ORGANIZATION AND PLANS MUST BE MADE IN ADVANCE TO HANDLE BOMB THREATS. IN PLANNING, IT IS NECESSARY TO DESIGNATE A CONTROL CENTER OR COMMAND POST. THE MOST SERIOUS OF ALL DECISIONS TO BE MADE BY MANAGEMENT IN THE EVENT OF A BOMB THREAT IS EVACUATION OR NONEVACUATION OF THE BUILDING. TEN STEPS IN PREPARING FOR THE HANDLING OF BOMB THREATS ARE TO CONTACT POLICE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, OR OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMNET AGENCY TO DETERMINE IF ANY AGENCY HAS A BOMB DISPOSAL UNIT; ESTABISH STRICT PROCEDURES FOR THE CONTROL AND INSPECTION OF PACKAGES AND MATERIALS ENTERING CRITICAL AREAS; DEVELOP A POSITIVE MEANS OF INDENTIFYING AND CONTROLLING PERSONNEL WHO HAVE ACCESS TO CRITICAL AREAS; ARRANGE TO HAVE POLICE/FIRE REPRESENTATIVES INSPECT THE BUILDING WHERE EXPLOSIVES ARE LIKELY TO BE CONCEALED; DURING BUILDING INSPECTION, GIVE PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO ELEVATOR SHAFTS, CEILING AREAS, RESTROOMS, ACCESS DOORS, AND CRAWL SPACES; ALERT SECURITY AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO SUSPICIOUS LOOKING OR UNFAMILIAR PERSONS OR OBJECTS; INSTRUCT SECURITY AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO MAKE PERIODIC CHECKS IN THE BUILDING; ASSURE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION; INSTRUCT ALL PERSONNEL, ESPECIALLY SWITCHBOARD OPERATORS, IN WHAT TO DO IF A BOMB THREAT CALL IS RECEIVED, AND ORGANIZE AND TRAIN AN EVACUATION UNIT THAT CONSISTS OF KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL. BOMB SEARCH TECHNIQUES ARE DESCRIBED, WITH EMPHASIS ON ROOM SEARCHES, THE LOCATION OF SUSPICIOUS OBJECTS, BUILDINGS, AIRCRAFT, ELEVATOR WELLS AND SHAFTS, AND HANDLING OF THE NEWS MEDIA. A SUGGESTED FORM TO BE COMPLETED BY INVESTIGATORS FOLLOWING BOMB THREAT CALLS AND A CHECKLIST TO FOLLOW WHEN A BOMB THREAT CALL IS RECEIVED ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)