COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 213

December 19, 2003

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Bomb Threat Response

Working together, the U.S. Department of Education and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, have developed a new interactive bomb threat response and planning guide on CD-ROM. The guide, “Bomb Threat Response: An Interactive Planning Tool for Schools,” is intended to help schools plan an effective bomb threat response protocol that can be included as a part of the school division’s overall crisis management plan.

The CD-ROM provides step-by-step information for schools on how to prevent and respond to bomb threats. Included on the CD-ROM are staff training presentations and implementation resources, such as templates and checklists.

In accordance with the Code of Virginia, §22.1-279.8, school divisions are required to have a written school crisis and emergency management plan for each school. School divisions are encouraged to review their plans and to revise them as needed to include updated information about responding to a bomb threat situation.

The Virginia Department of Education has obtained a limited number of the CD-ROMs and will be mailing one copy to the school division’s safe and drug-free schools coordinator. Additional copies are available upon request at www.threatplan.org. Questions may be directed to Arlene Cundiff (acundiff@mail.vak12ed.edu), coordinator, safe and drug-free schools program at 804-225-2871.

JLD/ADC/klr