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
50%
 Lung damage
Threshold
 Lethality
Threshold
50
Near 100%
5 psi
15 - 20 psi
10 - 12 psi
30 - 42 psi
42 - 57 psi
57 - 80 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
Types of explosives
Commercial explosives
Military explosives
Improvised explosive devices
Weapons of mass destruction
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)
 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
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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
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)
Purses
Backpacks
Briefcases Fed-ex
Shopping bags
 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
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?