The Random House College Dictionary defines “explosion” as a violent expansion or bursting with noise. In physical terms, an explosion is the sudden and rapid escape of gases from a confined space, accompanied by high temperatures, violent shock and loud noise.

If it is decided that a building search should be conducted, then the building manager or person in charge should designate personnel from their facility to perform that task. As a fire official, your role is to:

• Act as on-scene commander.
• Coordinate incident management.
• Decide how to respond to any fires and hazmat problems that may result if the explosive device detonates.
• Minimize damage to people and property.

According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, a bombing is any incident in which a device explodes that was constructed with criminal intent, using high explosives, low explosives or blasting agents.

Low explosives, such as black powder or smokeless powder used in pipe bombs, have a detonation velocity rate below 3,280 feet per second. About 70% of all bombs in the U.S. are pipe bombs made with black powder. Pipe bombs contained in packages such as envelopes, briefcases and coolers are called packaged improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.

High explosives have a detonation velocity rate above 3,280 feet per second. For example, dynamite has a detonation velocity rate of 9,000 feet per second. Whether the device contains high explosives or low explosives, you cannot outrun an explosion. If you can see the bomb, you are too close for safety. Proper personal protective equipment for bomb technicians should be utilized; those who are not bomb techs should stay far away from the device and contact the bomb squad.

IEDs commonly are referred to as homemade explosive devices. An IED can be defined as a modified explosive device made using materials that are readily available to the public. Types of IEDs include the aforementioned packaged IEDs, such as briefcase bombs, suicide/homicide IEDs — the device of choice for suicide bombers — radio-controlled IEDs, where explosives may be attached to remote-controlled toys or detonated using cellular phones or garage-door openers, and vehicle-borne IEDs, i.e., car bombs. In the case of car bombs, the person driving the vehicle often is not aware that the bomb is attached to the vehicle.

All types of IEDs, bombs and incendiary devices such as Molotov Cocktails have two purposes. These are to destroy property and take innocent lives. For example, in April 1995 the Oklahoma City bombing killed 168 people and resulted in $100 million dollars worth of property damage. Incidents such as these not only are tragic, but also are devastating to the people and communities involved.

Where to Start

Typically, U.S. fire service personnel might have contact with explosives such as C-4, which is a white clay-like explosive, TNT or dynamite. Other explosives they might encounter include binary explosives, which are used on farms and in construction, blasting caps, detonating cord and black powder, which is used in most pipe bombs. When responding to the threat of a bomb or IED, you should contact the building manager or person in charge immediately upon arrival. Quickly obtaining information—such as who, what, when, where and why — is essential to the hazard-assessment process. Because the building manager or person in charge is responsible for the safety of the facility, employees and visitors, they alone should decide whether to conduct a building search and whether to evacuate. (For building evacuation distances, refer to bomb threat standoff card issued by ATF.)

Hopefully, law enforcement will be on the scene as well; if not, you may advise the building owner of the following:

• When conducting a building search for bombs, or for suspicious or hazardous devices, begin with the building exterior, and then work toward the interior.
• Once inside the interior, begin at the lowest level and work up.
• Use colored tape to mark areas already searched.
• Don't forget stairwells, restrooms, engineering spaces, janitor's closets and lockers.
• Overlook nothing.

Remember, containers housing explosive devices can blend into the environment, so be suspicious of anything and everything.

Hands-off

If something is found, never touch or move it. Never turn lights on or off. Something as simple as a doorbell, garage-door opener or even setting your car’s alarm system can set off a bomb.

Devices also can be triggered by switches, mouse traps, pressure, lifting, tilting, moving, temperature, magnetics, acoustics and light. They can be victim-operated, time-delayed, and command-operated via telephones, cell phones, pagers and radios. They can be activated by an application of power — and by a loss of power, so don’t remove a wire from a battery. Instead, notify your law enforcement bomb squad or state bomb and arson division.

Be aware that there could be a secondary device. A building or area search should not be terminated prematurely just because one explosive device has been located. Often a bomber has set the primary explosive device just to draw people away from one area and toward another. The secondary device at the other area may be the one that carries the larger explosive power, and does the most harm to the greatest amount of people who might have gathered in one central place.

If nothing is found, do not declare the area safe. You never can be sure that searchers have not overlooked a device. Remember not to use cell phones, portable radios, mobile data terminals or others means of electronic communications when in an area near a possible explosive device. As little as 0.6 volts of electricity may detonate a blasting cap; therefore, all communications should be made by landline telephone or in some other manner.

If the area to be searched includes a motor vehicle that is suspected of housing an explosive device, a search of the vehicle should not be attempted by untrained personnel; instead, it should be done by the bomb squad, which has specialized training and the proper equipment.

Should an explosion occur, don’t forget to make sure that everyone is checked medically before leaving the blast scene. Even though someone may show no visible signs of illness or injury, shockwave air pressure from blasts can do internal damage to organs. This may result in death at a later time if the victim is allowed to leave the scene unchecked. First responders should be aware that hazardous chemicals and other substances may be released in some explosions. The use of appropriate PPE should be considered.

Conclusion

The main goal of any fire-service agency in responding to an explosive or incendiary device is to protect human life and property. Always preserve life before property; property can be replaced, but life cannot. As the fire service officer on the scene, remember to do your best to secure the area and preserve evidence for law enforcement. Finally, do your best to aid the building owner or person in charge in restoring post-incident normalcy to the scene as quickly as possible. This will go a long way in building good will between your fire-service agency and the community.

H. Brett Kilgore is a law enforcement and fire instructor who has served the public safety sector since 1979 as a police officer, fire marshal and fire investigator. Currently he is a certified state fire official, and specialized explosives and hazmat Instructor. He can be reached at bkilgore6@charter.net.

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