Presentation by
ODUDU UDOFIA
DEFINITIONS
- Airport Emergencies
These are occasions/instances natural or man-made that warrants urgent action to be taken in order to save lives, properties and public health in the airport.
- Bomb Threats
This is any form of threat (be it true or false) to detonate an explosive or incendiary devices that will cause injury, death, or damage to properties. Note that these are not actual bomb blasts or explosion, but a threat to do that, which may be true or false.
- Facilities
By airport facilities, we i mean buildings/structures, right of ways, equipment, instruments used or to be used for construction, expansion, development, maintenance or operation of an airport.
- Vehicles
By vehicle i mean any form of mechanically powered automobile that is used for the movement of persons/belongings from one place to another.
COMPONENTS OF A BOMB
Any explosive device that is designed to explode when detonated by a timing or remote controlled device is what a bomb is. Basically, there are four components that make up a bomb, which are:
❌ Power Source
❌ Initiator
❌ Explosive
❌ Switch
WHEN THERE IS A BOMB THREAT
👏 Remain calm.
👏 If the information came through a phone call, engage the caller as long as possible to get all vital information.
👏 Be sure to get information on Caller ID, Name, Address and possible objective of or motive behind the call.
👏 Be polite in your response; and if possible, record the call for reference purpose.
👏 Promptly notify appropriate authorities.
👏 Investigate or at least try to verify/ascertain the source of information.
👏 Follow instructions issued by the authorities.
👏 Avoid dispensing information that will create panic to airport users.
SAFEGUARDING AIRPORT FACILITIES AND VEHICLES AGAINST BOMB THREATS
The following steps must be taken to safeguard airport facilities and vehicles against the actual occurrence:
- Heighten Access Control
- Intensify screening of all airport users, including Airport Staff and their belongings
- Routinely patrol airport facilities and installations
- Employ the use of digital technologies like CCTV, cameras, etc.
- Report all strange observations without delay.
- Prioritize Inter-agency collaboration.
- Ensure that humans and vehicles undergo all required security checks, and that vehicles are parked as professionally as possible.
- Train and retrain airport security personnel accordingly.
- Give adequate attention to the welfare of airport personnel.
CONCLUSION
Bomb threats are information revealing the likelihood of bomb explosion. These information may either be true or false depending on the source and motive behind it. Whatever the case, such information should be taken seriously and measures put in place to ensure swift response in the event of the actual occurrence. In the end, it is best to be fully prepared and at alert and nothing happens, than to be taken unawares and ill-prepared when something happens.
REFERENCE
- www.shipsandsands.com.ng
- www.emergency.fsu.edu>hazards
- www.protect.iu.edu
- www.en.wkipedia.org
- ICAO Annex 17
