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 Threshold5 psi 50% psi  Lung damage Threshold psi  Lethality Threshold psi psi Near 100% psi

Overpressure

Incendiary 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

Fragmentation  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 Hazards  BE AWARE OF HAZARDS  Diminished structural integrity  Broken gas/sewer lines  Down electrical lines  Trip hazards  Smoke  Fire  Heat

Explosives Recognition  Commercial explosives  Military explosives  Improvised explosive devices  Weapons of mass destruction Types of explosives

Commercial Explosives  Blasting Caps  Dynamite  Detonation Cord  Cast Boosters  Shape Charges  ANFO  Slurry  Powders

Military Explosives  Blasting Caps  Dynamite  TNT  Detonation Cord  Deta Sheet  Composition C4  Military Ordinance

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 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)  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 ?

How many of you pictured these?

Improvised Explosive Devices Improvised 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 Responder  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 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)  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 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 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 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 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 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 / Activity  Pipe bombs - PVC, galvanized, misc.  Dry ice  Chemical  Sparkler bombs  Hoax devices-bank robberies  Abandoned mines/explosives  Homemade fireworks

Additional 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?