(ATLANTA) — Bomb threats are a vexing problem for school officials. Mindful of the fact that an act of terrorism or other violence is a very real possibility, authorities take these threats very seriously. Fortunately, they usually turn out to be hoaxes, but not before creating a huge headache for school officials, whose normal course of business is disrupted, and first responders, who bring in expensive resources to investigate the threat.

With the right tools and training, authorities can properly evaluate the threat and determine the best course of action. Therefore, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) will present, "Managing School Bomb Threats," a free class for education and law enforcement professionals, at four locations around the state in September (see below). Topics will cover planning for a bomb threat, how to identify a credible threat, search techniques, and adjudication of a bomb threat suspect. Each seminar will conclude with an explosives demonstration.

GEMA’s School Safety Unit provides services that help schools have a safe and secure school year. GEMA’s school safety coordinators offer training and technical assistance to educators, emergency management and public safety personnel. This includes site surveys, classes on weapons screening, school bus safety, gangs, bullying, exercise design and bomb threat management. They also respond to school crises.

For more information on school safety or GEMA’s School Safety Unit, call GEMA toll-free in Georgia at 1-800-TRY-GEMA or visit www.gema.ga.gov. For more information on specific risks in your area and how to prepare for them, contact your local emergency management agency.

(Editor’s Note: Please see below for dates and locations)

Managing School Bomb Threats
PLEASE NOTE: ALL CLASSES WILL BEGIN AT 9:00 AM

Wednesday, September 3    
Toccoa City Hall
Commission Meeting Room
203 North Alexander Street
Toccoa, Ga.

Wednesday, September 17    
South Georgia Technical College
900 South GA Tech Parkway
Americus, Ga.

Wednesday, September 24    
Georgia Public Safety Training Center
1800 Indian Hill Drive
Forsyth, Ga.

Thursday, September 25
Coosa Valley Technical College
Building H Conference Center
Rome, Ga.

# # #

Post Office Box 18055 - Atlanta, Georgia 30316-0055
Phone (404) 635-7000 or toll-free in Georgia 1-800-TRY-GEMA - Fax (404)635-7205
www.gema.ga.gov
www.ready.ga.gov
www.georgia911.org