Suspicious Mail and Envelopes

Description: 

Packages are considered suspicious if they contain one or more of the following characteristics:

• Package or envelope discovered with a suspicious powdery substance on the outside or inside.

• Received unexpectedly or sent by someone unfamiliar to you.

• Excessive postage, handwritten or poorly typed addresses, incorrect titles or titles with no names, or misspelling of common words.

• Addressed to someone no longer with the agency or with outdated postmarks.

• No return address or one that cannot be verified as legitimate.

• Return address not consistent with postmark.

• Unusual weight, given package size, lopsided, or oddly shaped.

• Unusual amount of tape, string, or other wrapping material.

• Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as “Fragile”, “Personal”, “Confidential”, or “Rush-Do-Not-Delay”

• Strange odor, stains, or noises (rattling, clicking, etc.).

• Appears to contain electrical wire or aluminum foil.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Emergency Response Team/Leadership

  • Ensure that all staff/visitors are notified about the suspicious package and are removed from the area.

  • Ensure that 9-1-1 is called.

  • Direct emergency responders to the location of the suspicious package.

  • Notify staff/visitors when emergency responders provide the “all-clear” to return to the area where the package is located.

• Staff

  • Never touch any package that is suspicious! Do not attempt to touch, move, or open the package or envelope as it could explode or spread.

  • Isolate the suspicious package by evacuating the room and locking the door, if possible

  • If the suspicious package is discovered while handling, avoid dropping, throwing, or any other abrupt shock movement. This can cause detonations of certain devices. Gently set the package down.

  • Call 9-1-1 immediately from a safe location. Do not use a radio or cell phone within 100 feet of the object

  • Notify your supervisor as soon as possible.

  • Describe what the package looks like and its location.

  • Evacuate others in the area by following established evacuation procedures.

  • Consider persons with disabilities who may need assistance evacuating.

  • If you have had direct skin contact with the package, wash hands, arms, etc. with soap and rinse with a plentiful quantity of water for 15 minutes.

  • Account for any missing person; always notify Emergency Personnel of any missing persons or individuals with disabilities located in areas of refuge when evacuating an area.

  • Always follow precautionary directions given by Emergency Personnel.

  • Do not return to the area where the package is located until receiving the “all-clear” from the ERT/Leadership.