Know the difference between unattended and suspicious packages Published Jan. 11, 2007 By Michael Marro 92nd Security Forces Squadron antiterrorism officer FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Many people wonder why a change in force protection conditions on Fairchild results in a flood of reports of suspicious packages with mandatory building evacuations. Confusion between an unattended package and a suspicious package is generally the reason this happens. A heightened security posture requires building occupants to look for and report suspicious packages in their work centers. An unattended package is defined as any inadvertent leaving of a purse, briefcase, or backpack in a common area during routine business where there is no evidence of any suspicious activity or observable malicious intent. One example might be a briefcase left at a customer service desk after an individual obtained a new identification card. For any unattended package to be considered suspicious one or more contributing factors which lead you to identify the item as suspicious must be present. Some things to look for may be unusual smells, oily stains, protruding wires, excessive postage, no return address, a package out of place with the surrounding area, or strange noises emanating from the package. If the package isn't suspicious, a work area supervisor should make an attempt to identify the owner without undue alarm or evacuation of the facility. If no owner can be located, take the appropriate action to secure the lost or misplaced property until the owner can be located. If the package is actually suspicious, call the Security Forces immediately and report exactly what was found and where it is located. Do not touch the object or use radios or cell phones within 25 feet of any suspicious item. The Security Forces will ask you what the contributing factors were that led you to believe the item is suspicious. You will also be asked what time you noticed the item and to describe the item. Examples might be a letter, aerosol canister, briefcase, backpack, pipes, or toolbox. Describe your work center's activity too. A package identified in an area under control of a particular unit or person that is out of place according to stricter control measures, or the observation of suspicious activity or circumstances upon finding the package is deemed suspicious in nature. Another example might be an unidentified male, with no business in that area, leaves a briefcase and promptly departs the area. If the caller identifies characteristics indicative of any suspicious package then evacuation of the immediate vicinity may be required. If evacuation is initiated, the caller should have their personnel visually inspect their work area upon departure, personnel should then evacuate to a pre-designated location upwind or crosswind, and have the caller meet the Security Forces flight sergeant at a designated area outside of the established cordon. The caller and anyone detecting suspicious items are to report to the entry control point and contact the on-scene commander. Only Explosives Ordinance Disposal personnel will reenter the building and analyze the contents of the item, package, or device and determine whether to up-grade or terminate the situation. Every unit is slightly different and it's for that reason that every unit has a designated primary and alternate antiterrorism/force protection officer that can answer your questions regarding your unit commander's policies and procedures concerning resource protection in your assigned work center. Force protection is everyone's business so stay informed and alert with a proper situational awareness.
