TERRORIST INCIDENT FIRST RESPONSE

AWARENESS TRAINING
PART 3 – IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES /
SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE & SCENE MANAGEMENT
Global threat from IED attack

Warning! Graphic content

PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Session Aim

To provide greater awareness and

guidance for a safe response to
an explosives threat.
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Learning Objectives

 Introduction to IEDs
 Searching for a suspected device
 How to assess a suspicious object / device
 Actions when suspected device confirmed
 Information for Explosives Ordinance Disposal
 Scene management considerations
 PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Introduction to IEDs

 Introduction to IEDs
 Searching for a suspected device
 How to assess a suspicious object / device
 Actions when suspected device confirmed
 Information for Explosives Ordinance Disposal
 Scene management considerations
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Introduction to IEDs
“Any device fabricated in an improvised manner utilising destructive,
lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic or incendiary chemicals, designed to
destroy, kill, maim, incapacitate, harass or distract.”

An improvised explosive device may incorporate military ordnance but is normally

devised from non-military components.
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Examples
Boston Marathon 2013
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Examples

VBIED

Pipe bomb
Bucket bomb
Letter bomb
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Parsons Green 2017

Ahmed Hassan, 18
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Parsons Green 2017
Manchester truck bomb 1996
Insert film clips of detonations……
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Types of Activation

Command-initiated
Detonated through human interaction
(Mobile phone, Remote Controlled devices

Autonomously-initiated
Detonated automatically without bomber’s
intervention
(Timer, pressure plate, magnetic)
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Typical IED composition
 PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Searching

 Introduction to IEDs
 Searching for a suspected device
 How to assess a suspicious object / device
 Actions when suspected device confirmed
 Information for Explosives Ordinance Disposal
 Scene management considerations
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Scenario
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Scenario

You have been called to the Public

Museum following reports of a bomb
threat which was made by phone call to
the reception desk. The caller claimed to
be from a terrorist organisation and stated
that many people would die today.
A similar threat had been received last
week at a nearby location. A viable device
was found but it failed to detonate.
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Scenario: Searching

What are your considerations

with regard to searching?
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Searching Guidance

What are your considerations  The type and grade of threat -

with regard to searching? (low/medium/high probability)
 The content of any message or threat
received
 Potential targets at location
 Urgency of search and potential evacuation
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Searching Guidance

What are your considerations
with regard to searching?
 Public / Private? Police are responsible for
searching public buildings or places and
raising the alert
 Consult someone with knowledge of the
building layout
 If a senior officer is unavailable then a
scene supervisor should be nominated to
manage the scene effectively
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Searching Guidance

What are your considerations
with regard to searching?
Emergency vehicles should not be parked near
the location because they could…
• be targeted by a command initiated device
• become compromised within the inner
cordon and will therefore need to be
abandoned until safe to recover
 PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Assessment

 Introduction to IEDs
 Searching for a suspected device
 How to assess a suspicious item / device
 Actions when suspected device confirmed
 Information for Explosives Ordinance Disposal
 Scene management considerations
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Scenario: Assessment

A bag has now been found by staff at the

location and it is unattended. Staff have
tried to trace the owner without success.
How are you going to assess the item?
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Assessment Guidance

How are you going to assess
the item?
 Consider and evaluate all of the
circumstances known
 Has there been any attempt to hide it?
 Is there anything that makes it obviously
suspicious?
 We expect that an IED will be concealed but
does the outer container (like this bag) look
out of place in the surroundings?
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Assessment Guidance
How are you going to assess
the item?
 The responder conducting the assessment
must decide whether the object should be
treated as a suspected device or an innocent
item
 The exception… There is
compelling evidence that the object is
already believed to be a potential terrorist
device (military witness, signs of discharge,
damage, casualties…)
Football Stadium Security Staff
(How not to do it!)
Action Counters Terrorism (ACT)
Suspicious Items
 PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Suspected Device

 Introduction to IEDs
 Searching for a suspected device
 How to assess a suspicious object / device
 Actions when suspected device confirmed
 Information for Explosives Ordinance Disposal
 Scene management considerations
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Scenario: Confirmed

As first responder, you have now made the

necessary urgent enquiries and assessed
that it is a suspected device.
What actions will you take?
PART 1 – THE INITIAL INCIDENT RESPONSE – 6 Actions

1. Confirm
2. Clear
3. Contain
4. Cordon
5. Control
6. Communicate
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Suspected Device

1. Confirm  Type of incident

2. Clear  Item is a Suspected Device and call for EOD
3. Contain
4. Cordon
5. Control
6. Communicate
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Suspected Device

1. Confirm  Clear members of public away from suspected device to a safe

2. Clear location
3. Contain  Start from nearest to threat, using hard cover at all times
4. Cordon  Consider Secondary Devices
5. Control  Consider the safest option between evacuation / invacuation
6. Communicate
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Suspected Device

1. Confirm  Contain and secure the area maintaining a safe distance from
2. Clear object – NEVER in line-of-sight!
3. Contain  Cordon using hard cover. Avoid glass & parked vehicles
4. Cordon  Control entry to all but necessary personnel such as bomb
5. Control disposal operators
6. Communicate
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Suspected Device

Minimum Cordon Distances

(Pre-detonation)
200m

Small – 100m
Medium – 200m 111111111100

Large – 400m 100m

400m
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Suspected Device

1. Confirm  Update Control Room

2. Clear  Notify and request supervisor to the scene
3. Contain  Request support (e.g. bomb disposal, more resources)
4. Cordon  Do not transmit EOD movements as this may compromise tactics
5. Control and the safety of operators!
6. Communicate
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Suspected Device

MINIMUM Safe transmission distance from device

1. Confirm
 Hand-held radio or mobile phone distance - 15m
2. Clear
3. Contain
4. Cordon
 Vehicle mounted radio 50m
5. Control
6. Communicate
 PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Information for EOD

 Introduction to IEDs
 Searching for a suspected device
 How to assess a suspicious object / device
 Actions when suspected device confirmed
 Information for Explosives Ordinance Disposal
 Scene management considerations
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Information for EOD

What do you think a bomb disposal

operator will need to know on
arrival at the scene?
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Information for EOD

Location – is the place a prominent or vulnerable structure, a high value target e.g.
political, military, police premises; transport hub or crowded / heavily populated public place;
known or suspected terrorist or extremist connection
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Information for EOD

Intelligence – request checks on the location, vehicles concerned, current threat levels,
any recent incidents within or connected to the area, any information received from other
sources?
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Information for EOD

Informant – locate informant / witnesses and interview for information available e.g. who
placed the object, how it was placed or found, descriptions, vehicles, timings etc. and record
relevant details for reference

Ensure the witness

remains for further
questioning!
 PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Information for EOD

Evaluate – the object. Exact location, type and full description [size, shape, construction,
materials, component parts visible, colour, smell, distinguishing features], in open view or
disguised / concealed

Do not photograph or remain near

device when recording details!
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Information for EOD

Record - full details of object and precise location as soon as safely possible. This is
critical but may need to be delayed depending on imminent threat and time available

Make notes and a sketch / diagram

If photograph or video available - seize and record as evidence
Mark the object’s location – Only if safe!
Use CCTV or remote technical equipment if available

Do not disturb or move the object any further

or allow anyone to approach it!
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Information for EOD

Location – prominent or vulnerable target

Intelligence – current threat levels, recent incidents in area, any information?
Informant – locate informant/witnesses
Evaluate – the object - exact location, full description
Record - full details of object and precise location as soon as safely possible
Thailand Parcel Bomb 2015
Police Training Centre I.E.D.
Iraq Controlled Explosion Shrapnel 2005
 Post
Detonation
Cordons

Inner
ii\
IED
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Outer
100m
Traffic

Safe
route
 Cordon Examples

Inner Outer

Safe route Traffic

Iraq Secondary Device
 PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Scene Management

 Introduction to IEDs
 Searching for a suspected device
 How to assess a suspicious object / device
 Actions when suspected device confirmed
 Information for Explosives Ordinance Disposal
 Scene management considerations
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Scene Management

Expect panic and confusion!

 During and following a terrorist incident the scene can be very confusing
 The primary aim is to protect life through evacuation and risk mitigation.
Scene Management

Survivors:
• Provide first aid and evacuate if possible
• Leave body parts, medical debris and clothing where they are
• If evacuated seize survivors clothing when possible

Witnesses:
• Identify and record details, direct to reception area if available
• Consider obtaining a short description of what they saw if safe to do so
• Identify photographs or footage.
Scene Management

Suspects:
• Be aware suspects may be amongst survivors and witnesses
• Identify suspicious behaviour and act on witness information
• Separate suspects from witnesses

Forensics:
• Cordon, Control and identify a single approach path
• Leave bodies and debris where they are
• Allow only essential entry
• Seek expert advice.
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Session Review

 Introduction to IEDs
 Searching for a suspected device
 How to assess a suspicious object / device
 Actions when suspected device confirmed
 Information for EOD
 Scene management considerations
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Session Review

 Introduction to IEDs  Composition of an IED

 Searching for a suspected device  2 main types of activation?
 How to assess a suspicious object / device
 Actions when suspected device confirmed
 Information for EOD
 Scene management considerations
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Session Review

 Introduction to IEDs  Type and grade of threat

 Searching for a suspected device  Content of message
 How to assess a suspicious object / device
 Surrounding circumstances
 Actions when suspected device confirmed
 Targets
 Information for EOD
 Building layout
 Scene management considerations
 Urgency
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Session Review

 Introduction to IEDs  Evaluate object…

 Searching for a suspected device Hidden
 How to assess a suspicious object / device
Obviously suspicious
 Actions when device confirmed
Typical of the surroundings
 Information for EOD
 Scene management considerations
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Session Review

 Introduction to IEDs  6 Actions?

 Searching for a suspected device 1. Confirm
 How to assess a suspicious object / device 2. Clear

 Actions when suspected device confirmed 3. Contain

 Information for EOD 4. Cordon – Distances?

5. Control
 Scene management considerations
6. Communicate
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Session Review

 Introduction to IEDs  Location

 Searching for a suspected device  Intelligence
 How to assess a suspicious object / device
 Informant – and witnesses
 Actions when suspected device confirmed
 Evaluate – exact location
 Information for EOD
 Record
 Scene management considerations
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Session Review

 Introduction to IEDs  Survivors

 Searching for a suspected device  Witnesses
 How to assess a suspicious object / device
 Suspects
 Actions when suspected device confirmed
 Forensics
 Information for EOD
 Scene management considerations
PART 3 – IEDs / SUSPICIOUS ITEMS RESPONSE – Questions?

Information overload?