Explosive Hazards
Blast Pressure (Overpressure)
Detonation can exert pressures of up to 700 tons per square inch on the atmosphere = 13,000 mph
Pressure level for a typical shock wave Eardrum failure
Threshold 5 psi50% 15 - 20 psi
Lung damageThreshold 10 - 12 psi
LethalityThreshold 30 - 42 psi50 42 - 57 psiNear 100% 57 - 80 psi
OverpressureOverpressure
Incendiary or ThermalIncendiary or Thermal Radiant heat (the bright flash) - usually only lasts a
fraction of a second with temperatures exceeding 10,000 degrees
Radiation - (nuclear) only found if nuclear reaction is present in a bomb
FragmentationFragmentation Average bomb fragment will reach 2700 feet per second (fps) Secondary fragmentation energized from the blast or caused
by the blast
Debris Broken Glass Rocks
If you can see the bomb, you are too close!
Secondary HazardsSecondary Hazards BE AWARE OF
HAZARDS Diminished structural
integrity Broken gas/sewer
lines Down electrical lines Trip hazards Smoke Fire Heat
Explosives RecognitionExplosives Recognition
Commercial explosives Military explosives Improvised explosive devices Weapons of mass destruction
Types of explosives
Commercial ExplosivesCommercial Explosives
Blasting Caps Dynamite Detonation
Cord Cast Boosters
Shape Charges
ANFO Slurry Powders
Military ExplosivesMilitary Explosives Blasting Caps Dynamite TNT Detonation Cord Deta Sheet Composition C4 Military Ordinance
Nuclear (WMD)Nuclear (WMD)
Explosive device designed to maximize nuclear yield event Very small chance of being
used but huge consequence Too expensive Difficult to assemble and
deploy
Unstable governments Dirty Bomb
Small dose of radiation Cleanup becomes the major
concern More of a fear/panic factor
than immediate health risk
Biological (WMD)Biological (WMD) Includes any living or nonliving
virus, microorganism or bio-active substance that is produced by a microorganism and has a deliverable system.
Can be dispersed to create fear and panic
Unlikely as a bomb Heat of explosion will destroy
biological toxins.
Smallpox
Biological AgentsBiological Agents Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) Botulism (Clostridum botulinum toxin) Cholera (Vibrio cholerae) Q-fever (Coriella burnetii) Plague (Yersinia pestis) Ricin toxin (Ricinus communis) Salmonella (Salmonellosis) Smallpox (Variola major) Tuleremia (Francisella tularensis)
Chemical (WMD)Chemical (WMD) Nerve, Blister, Choking
agents Chemical agents designed to kill,
cause serious injury, incapacitate or used for area denial
Usually spread by dispersion devices Can be manufactured from
household chemicals Chlorine Ammonia Pesticides
Mass quantities are often needed
What Does a Bomb Look Like ?What Does a Bomb Look Like ?
How many of you pictured these?
Improvised Explosive DevicesImprovised Explosive Devices
There is no such thing as a textbook bomb
Anything could be a bomb
Limited to the imagination and technical expertise of the builder
Chemical Bomb
Responsibilities of the first Responsibilities of the first ResponderResponder
Respond for report Time, distance, shielding Radio’s, pagers, cellular phones
Use items accordingly on scene Turn off or leave behind if approaching
device Assess the threat
Suspicious vs. Suspected Interviews Prior incidents? High profile target?
Separate witnesses Evacuation
Your decision vs. owner/manager decision Notify the Bomb Squad
Scene security / perimeter
Bomb ThreatsBomb Threats
Phone Letter Note Credible / Specific threat? Time
communicated? Does the location have a search procedure
and have they completed it? Has a suspicious package or suspected device
been found? BOMB TECHNICIANS DO NOT SEARCH! Law enforcement cannot mandate an
evacuation unless a suspected package is
located
Suspicious Package(s)Suspicious Package(s)
NO ASSOCIATED THREAT Respond for the report You do not have the right to mandate an evacuation DO NOT TOUCH OR MOVE THE ITEM Assess the threat level Attempt to contact an owner if possible
Return address, initials, possibly known Utilize K-9 if available Can the item be secured with minimal interruption? If an approach is needed, be sure and get all information on one approach
GO BY YOURSELF Consider having EMS/Fire at the location
If an owner cannot be found, consider the package a suspected device
Purses Backpacks Briefcases Fed-ex Shopping bags Boxes
Suspected DeviceSuspected Device
Threat of specific device in area / building Evacuate area, minimum of 300ft in all directions Secure scene
DO NOT TOUCH, SHOW YOUR FRIENDS, OR STAFF
Do not place anything on top, around or near item Notify the Bomb Squad Establish incident command Have fire and EMS on standby Have witnesses available for bomb technicians
DO NOT TOUCH OR SHOW ANYONE FOR ANY REASON!
Bomb Squad ActivationBomb Squad Activation
Request the Bomb Squad through your supervisor
Supervisor will notify dispatch
Dispatch notifies the Bomb Commander
Bomb Technicians are notified for response
Bomb Squad ResponsibilitiesBomb Squad Responsibilities
Respond to Command Post Conduct interviews/interrogation (if applicable) Assume command of inner perimeter Bomb Technicians will make all decisions on life vs. property Bomb Technicians have full authority of how the item will be rendered safe Bomb Technicians will revert into an advisory role if decisions on handling
procedures are compromised Bomb Technicians will collect or assist in the collection of evidence Bomb Technicians will submit supplemental reports on all activities/actions Bomb Technicians CANNOT AND WILL NOT make a decision to reoccupy Bomb Technicians will assist in follow-up investigations if requested
Post Blast ResponsePost Blast Response Maintain awareness for secondary devices/hazards Lifesaving procedures at the scene always comes first Secure the scene Establish perimeter (start large) Protect the evidence Control ingress and egress Notify the Bomb Squad for post blast investigation Have witnesses available for bomb technicians
Post BlastPost Blast
Bomb Technicians should be notified on all post blast incidents
Bomb Technicians are the only personnel trained in processing and collection of post blast scenes
Bomb Squad response may not be required Major incident
Large vehicle bomb Extensive property damage Serious injury or death involved Weapons of mass destruction
Current Trends / ActivityCurrent Trends / Activity
Pipe bombs - PVC, galvanized, misc. Dry ice Chemical Sparkler bombs Hoax devices-bank robberies Abandoned mines/explosives Homemade fireworks
Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources
Additional bomb squads and equipment Adams/Jeffco Hazmat Team State chemist Civil Support Team FBI / ATFE Ft. Carson EOD K-9 Explosive scientists/specialists
Questions?Questions?