Explosive Hazards

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?