improvised explosive device information guide

8/7/2019 Improvised Explosive Device Information Guide

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Improvised Explosive Device Information Guide

ROOM AND BUILDING SEARCHES

Under optimum conditions, room and building searches will beconducted by persons familiar with the building and its contents. Thesepersons are by far the most qualified to recognize any new items of sign ofanything being out of place. When a situation arises that requiresMilitary police, security, emergency response, or other law enforcementpersonnel to conduct a search of a room, building, or facility, the followingpoints should be considered:

A.General rules of thumb:1) Searches should be organized and conducted in a systematic, orderly,

and logical sequence:

Establish a command and control center near the site.Begin from the outside and move inward.Concentrate on public areas where terrorists would have easier access,then move to private areas.Conduct searches from the bottom or lower levels of a build and moveupward.

2) Whenever possible, searches should be conducted by trained searchteams. Additionally, teams should be divided into areas of primaryresponsibility:

Exterior TeamPublic Area TeamRoom TeamsMisc. Teams

Teams should consist of a minimum of two persons.

3) Additionally, the following rules should be adhered to wheneverpossible:

Utilize K9 for high value areas.Utilize individuals familiar with spaces (Floor wardens, maintenancepersonnel, etc.).Coordinate search with facility manager.When feasible, obtain building floor diagrams or blueprints to aid inorganizing the search.


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Be aware of signs of new construction or repair work.Report status to Command Control as search progresses.Immediately report any suspicious items.Mark the location near the suspicious device using pre-determinedsigns or flags. Taping a string on the floor next to the suspicious device

and leading it to the building entrance is the best method of markingan item. In this method, the EOD team does not require a guide toshow them the device.

4) SafetyPrecautions:

DO NOT DISTURB SUSPICIOUS OBJECTS CONTACT EODOR BOMB DISPOSAL PERSONNEL FOR POSITIVEIDENTIFICATION.Communications

RF transmission can be a hazard Use landline telephone or runner.RF Transmission hazard distances can vary based on location andscenario. Contact local EOD or Bomb Disposal technicians forspecific advice.

Turn on lights? Scenario specific determination should be made in thisinstance.


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B. Detailed Room Sweep:

1) Conduct quick visual scan for suspicious items or anythingout of place.

Listen to ambient room sounds for mechanical ticking.Divide room in half and into four horizontal layers.

Floor to waistWaist to eye levelEye level to ceiling


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Above false ceiling2)The search will consist of four sweeps around the room by a

minimum of two personnel.The first sweep will be conducted at the lowest level.Search teams should begin the search at a designatedpoint in the room and work in opposite directions untilthey meet at the far end, then continue the search throughthe center of the room, working back to the starting point. Subsequent sweeps should be conducted in the samemanner matching the horizontal layer divisions of theroom.Once the room search is complete, it should be reportedto the command center, and the room marked in apreviously decided manner. This will reduce redundant

searches.


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C. Damage Reduction:

If an IED is discovered during the course of a search, and as time andcircumstance allows, the following actions should be taken to reducedamage in the event of a detonation:

Adjust evacuation distances based on a worst-case scenario inconsideration of the size and placement of the suspected IED. (NOTE:See Appendix A Determining Safe Blast and FragmentationDistances)Have emergency services/personnel (EOD, fire, and emergencymedical) standing by to respond to the incident.Be alert for secondary IEDs. A common tactic amongst terrorists is todetonate an IED, wait for emergency responders, and then detonate asecond IED situated to target the responders.Vent potential blast wave into open by opening all doors and windowsIsolate water/gas/fuel lines and electrical power. Prior coordinationwith facilities maintenance personnel should be conducted during

Force Protection planning.Consider the use of firefighting foam. Foam has a distinct capability toreduce the damage from blast overpressure and minimal reduction ofthe fragmentation hazard.Tamping, or placing shock-absorbent material in the areaadjacent tothe suspect device may assist in damage reduction depending on thesize of the device. However, this activity should only be accomplishedbe Trained EOD personnel.


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DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE A SUSPECTED IED. THIS ISTHE RESPONSIBILITY OF EOD.

improvised explosive device information guide

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