EOD Bomb Squad 2012

Explosive Device(s) on Passenger Train

TSA Security Report “Rail Line Attacks: Tactics and Techniques and Procedures Assessment,” which was based on worldwide attacks on rail and mass transit 2004-2009. In the report, TSA assesses that terrorists will continue to target rail tracks due to their openness, ease of access, and difficulty in providing sufficient security Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been the most common weapon used in attacks along rail tracks, and that trend is expected to continue.

Teams were presented with a scenario involving a terrorist attack on an Amtrak passenger train. In this scenario, suspects entered the train and were to be neutralized by Tactical Law Enforcement Officers prior to the arrival of EOD Teams. During the confrontation, law enforcement discovered what appeared to be explosive devices. Regional Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams were  evaluated on their ability to properly enter the area, assess the scene, and implement standardized EOD protocols in rendering safe the suspected device(s). This was an indoor scenario and involved “Hand Entry” Render Safe techniques.

Explosive Device(s) on School Campus

Due to the increase in terrorist-sanctioned homicide bombings world-wide, U.S. law enforcement agencies and their specialized response units must be prepared to face this growing threat. Law enforcement must be prepared to respond appropriately and utilize all available resources to take control of these rapidly evolving incidents, apprehend the violent offenders responsible, and defuse any future threats. The Bay Area UASI provided a realistic training exercise that required communication, coordination and cooperation between multi-agency, multi-disciplinary and intra-agency units in a tactical environment. Regional K9 teams were evaluated on their ability to locate and identify all explosive materials present, and secure the area for the EOD/Bomb Squad, and in turn rendered safe/disrupted any explosive devices located within a school campus.

Vehicle Improvised Explosive Device(s)

Regional EOD-Bomb Squads and K9 units were presented with the following scenario as a training exercise to test their capabilities to respond to a situation involving an improvised explosive device planted in a motor vehicle. The exercise measured their abilities, protocols and equipment, as well as intra-agency and inter-agency cooperation and communication necessary to successfully deal with this high risk situation.