Kabooooom!

Bit of excitement at work yesterday.

I was upstairs doing my weekly desk shift when Sarah, the branch manager, came through with hard hat and high-visibility vest on, shouting that the library needed to be evacuated. Thinking it was just a drill, I began to do the same to help her. It took us quite a while to get people out, they just carried on with what they were doing and Sarah had to get quite stroppy in the end. Still thinking it was a drill, I thought, "gee, she's assertive!"

Out in the bottom carpark we learned that Larry who works in the Council offices which are down on the lower floor along with the Library Admin offices, had taken a call saying there was a bomb in the building. Larry was so surprised (as would anyone be) that he had to get the caller to repeat himself. When Larry asked which building the caller just said, "you'll find out."

Vicki, our boss, and Larry had us out quite quickly although I was annoyed that although library staff were stopping people from entering the library, they didn't stop people from going down the lane beside the library, including children, and some staff were very close to a building that might have a bomb in it. They did eventually get the idea and the Police when they finally arrived, said they were pleased with how the library had handled the matter.

It took the Police and Fire folk a good 20 mins to get to us. They checked the building but meantime staff had been told it would be a while before we could get into the building and that we could go home if we wanted. Unfortunately, because I'd been up on the desk I didn't have time to grab my bag and keys so I couldn't go anywhere. We did finally get in about 4:30pm and I was able to complete the last 1/2 hour of my shift.

Now, the caller probably doesn't realise a few things:

1. Larry answered the Call Centre phone - it services both Katoomba which is the Council HQ and the Springwood Office. We reckon the caller thought they were calling Katoomba.
2. We have caller ID on our phones so Larry could see the mobile number being used to make the call - it's now with the Police.

It reminds me of the story of the two Aussie guys in America who held up a bank. They were caught because they were still wearing their name tags from where they worked! And talking to a friend this morning she said the Credit Union at Blaxland was held up years ago and the teller said the thief would have to fill out a withdrawal slip if she was to give him any money. And he did. With his correct name and membership details!!!!!!