Holyoke Police Department -
On Thursday, October 31st, the Holyoke Police Department was dispatched to the Melissa Memorial Hospital for a report of a bomb threat to the facility. Holyoke PD requested assistance from the Holyoke Fire Department and received additional assistance from deputies of the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office.
Due to safety concerns, the threat was treated as a real-world incident and evacuations of the hospital facility were initiated.
Upon arrival of the responding agencies, an incident command post was established, and a search of the building was initiated by first responders. During this time, contact was made with the Colorado Bureau of Investigations as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigations to advise them of the incident. A systematic sweep of the building was conducted by first responders who found no evidence of explosives or additional threats to the building or staff members. A suspicious backpack was located by the search teams who were able to determine that it was not related to the incident.
Approximately 1 hour after the initial call, Holyoke Police Department gave the “All Clear” and returned staff members and patients to the hospital. Working with our law enforcement and medical partners, it was found that the threat was made to several hospitals in Colorado. Initial investigations found no evidence of explosive devices at any of the facilities.
Both the CBI and FBI are conducting an investigation into the incidents around the state and the Holyoke Police Department is cooperating with the investigation.