U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Resource: Bomb Squad/Explosives Teams
Category: Law Enforcement/Security
Kind: Team
Minimum Capabilities (Component) Minimum Capabilities
(Metric)		 Type I Type II Type III Type IV Other
Equipment Blast Protective Clothing

(5) Bomb Suits;
(5) Search Suits;
(10) Cooling Vests;
Tactical Body Armor (helmet with ballistic shield, fire resistant clothing, gloves & hood);
Hydration System

(3) Bomb Suits;
(3) Search Suits;
(6) Cooling Vests;
Tactical Body Armor (helmet with ballistic shield, fire resistant clothing, gloves & hood);
Hydration System

(1) Bomb Suits;
(1) Search Suits;
(2) Cooling Vests (recommended);
Tactical Body Armor (helmet with ballistic shield, fire resistant clothing, gloves & hood);
Hydration System

 

  
  X-Ray

(5) Portable X-Ray Devices

(3) Portable X-Ray Devices

(1) Portable X-Ray Device

 

  
   

(2) Real-Time X-Ray

(1) Real-Time X-Ray

(1) Real-Time X-Ray (recommended)

 

  
  RSP

(5) Disrupters & Advanced Render Safety Capabilities; DEMO Kits

(3) Disrupters & Advanced Render Safety Capabilities; DEMO Kits

(1) Disrupter & Advanced Render Safety Capabilities; DEMO Kits

 

  
  CBRN Protective Clothing

(5) Level A PPE
(10) Level B PPE
(10) Level C PPE APR

(6) Level B PPE
(6) Level C PPE APR

(2) Level C PPE APR

 

  
  Respiratory Protection

SCBA/APR necessary to sustain all team members

SCBA/APR necessary to sustain all team members

APR necessary to sustain all team members

 

  
  Remote Stand-Off Capability

Complete Robot System

Robot System

Stand-Off Manipulation Equipment

 

  
   

Rigging Equipment

Rigging Equipment

 

 

  
  Tools

Bomb Squad Hand Tools

Bomb Squad Hand Tools

Bomb Squad Hand Tools

 

  
   

Fiber Optics Camera

Fiber Optics Camera (recommended)

 

 

  
   

"COBRA" Computer

"COBRA" Computer

 

 

  
  Monitoring/Detection

COBRA Monitors; personal dosimeters

CBRN Monitors; personal dosimeters

 

 

  
  Explosive Transport

Total Containment Vessel (TCV)–Chemical/Biological

Containment Vessel

Explosive Containment Box

 

  
  Communication

Intrinsically Safe In-Suit Communication Capability

Intrinsically Safe In-Suit Communication Capability

 

 

  
Personnel  

(2) Supervisors trained to bomb technician level
(10) Bomb Technicians
(2) Bomb Trained Medics (recommended)
(2) Explosive K-9 Teams (recommended)

(2) Supervisors trained to bomb technician level
(6) Bomb Technicians
(1) Bomb Trained Medic (recommended)
(2) Explosive K-9 Teams (recommended)

(2) Tech Bomb Technicians
(1) Supervisor (recommended)
(1) Explosive K-9 Team (recommended)

 

  
Vehicles  

(1) Primary Response Vehicle;
(1) Back-Up Vehicle
(1) Armored Vehicle

(1) Dedicated Equipment Vehicle

Equipment Vehicle

 

  
Training  

Post Blast Investigation Training–6 weeks; Basic Hazardous Devices school–6 weeks; Robot Operator’s Course; Hazardous Materials Tech Training; Additional WMD Training; Advanced Access and Disablement; Explosive Breaching Training; 40 hours continuous training annually; 16 hours training monthly; Recertification every 3 years.

Post Blast Investigation Training–6 weeks; Basic Hazardous Devices school–6 weeks; Hazardous Materials Tech Training; WMD Training; Advanced Access and Disablement; Explosive Breaching Training (recommended); 40 hours continuous training annually; 16 hours training monthly; Recertification every 3 years.

Post Blast Investigation Training–6 weeks; Basic Hazardous Devices school–6 weeks; Hazardous Materials Tech Training; WMD Training; Advanced Access and Disablement; Explosive Breaching Training (recommended); 40 hours continuous training annually; 16 hours training monthly; Recertification every 3 years.

 

  

Comments:

Type I– A dedicated full-time bomb squad, capable of handling a complex incident. A complex incident may include multiple or simultaneous life-threatening or time-sensitive IEDD incidents, involving sophisticated improvised energetic materials, electronic/remote firing systems, and tactical explosive breaching support. Teams shall consist of a minimum of 10 bomb technicians and 2 supervisors. Team must have render safe capabilities up to and including large vehicle borne IEDs (capable of containing up to 60,000 lbs. of explosive material) and CBRN dispersal devices. Team shall be capable of working in a CBRN environment and support tactical team operations.

Type II– A full-time or part-time bomb squad, capable of handling a moderate incident. A moderate incident may include a life-threatening or time-sensitive incident, involving sophisticated improvised energetic materials and electronic/remote firing systems. Teams shall consist of a minimum of 6 bomb technicians and 2 supervisors. Team must have render safe capabilities up to and including a medium vehicle borne IEDs (capable of containing up to 4,000 lbs. of explosive material) and CBRN dispersal devices. Teams should be capable of working in a CBRN environment absent of vapors.

Type III– A full-time or part-time bomb squad, capable of handling a small incident. Teams shall consist of a minimum of 2 bomb technicians. Team must have basic IED render safe capabilities. Teams should be capable of working in a CBRN environment absent of vapors and liquids.

Definitions
RSP Render-Safe Procedure
IEDD Improvised Explosive Device Disposal
CBRN Improvised Explosive Device Disposal
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
APR Air Purifying Respirator
SCBA Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
Level A PPE Totally encapsulated chemical resistant vapor suit with SCBA
Level B PPE Non-encapsulated or encapsulated chemical resistant suit with SCBA
Level C PPE Non-encapsulated chemical resistant suit with APR
"COBRA" Computer Chemical Biological Response Aide
TCV Total Containment Vessel
WMD Weapon(s) of Mass Destruction



National Mutual Aid & Resource Management Initiative
Law Enforcement