By Jeff Wardon, Jr., Assistant Editor

A Portland, Oregon, man was recently indicted and arrested for conspiring to make and making threats in September 2021 involving explosives, as well as conveying false information about the threats, according to the US Department of Justice. The man, Domagoj Patkovic, allegedly targeted Jewish hospitals and care centers in New York City and Long Island with hoax bomb threats, driven by anti-Semitic motives. The threats were made anonymously via phone and livestreamed, causing chaos, emergency responses and a partial evacuation of a hospital. No explosives were found. If convicted, Patkovic faces up to 155 years in prison. 

Threats made to facilities must be taken seriously, regardless of their legitimacy. Healthcare facility managers can coordinate with the appropriate authorities and train their staff as countermeasures.

Related: New York Hospital Receives Bomb Threat

Facility managers can build relationships with local authorities, such as law enforcement, emergency services and neighboring businesses, according to Crises Control. They can collaborate on crisis management plans and coordinate their responses. Crises Control says managers should do this before a crisis happens because it can affect an organization’s ability to respond and recover. 

Proper training also is critical to keeping occupants safe during threatening situations. If a staff member is trained poorly, they might take actions that could put them in harm’s way, according to Randy Braverman of Facility Engineering Associates.  

“It is important that people are trained on the plan, people know the plan, and you drill on the plan to make sure it is a sound plan,” Braverman says. “When you drill people, they get to understand what they are supposed to be doing. Additionally, it's important to work with the first responders when you are drilling. This way you are working together and having that first responder looking at your plans too.” 

Jeff Wardon, Jr., is the assistant editor for the facilities market.