ATF Bomb Experts to Train Cops, Firefighters and Army Specialists

by Jim Kouri, CPP The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will conduct post-blast explosives training for state and local law enforcement officers, fire service personnel and specialized military personnel from April 18-20 in Bell Buckle, Tenn.     The training provides insight into ATF's expertise in the investigation of bomb scenes, including evidence identification, the type of explosive device used, method of placement and detonation. The training is an invaluable tool in an investigators quest to apprehend and prosecute bombers.     Several military personnel from throughout the United States will also be in attendance during the training. The US military has a long-standing relationship with ATF in the recovery of explosives identified in criminal investigations at the local, state and federal level. Personnel from the US Army and US Army Reserves will use the ATF training to supplement their skills and techniques in the area of post-blast investigations, and then utilize the knowledge when deployed around the world.     ATF provides explosives training on a regular basis for law enforcement and other first responders across the United States and in the international community. The upcoming post-blast school in Bell Buckle is provided at no cost to all participating agencies. The Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy and ATF have an established partnership to provide training and utilize the academy as a regional training site.     The post-blast school has a block of instruction that includes an explosives demonstration conducted for participants. It is an excellent opportunity for area law enforcement/first responders and military personnel to observe and hear the first-hand effects caused by a variety of explosions. The knowledge gained from the training can then be applied to a real life scenario. ATF special agents from Tennessee and Alabama who are also certified explosives specialists (CES) will be conducting the demonstration.     Another part of the instruction requires the instructors to blow up an automobile in a controlled environment so participants can search for evidence and work to reconstruct the device used to destroy the vehicle. Source: US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police. He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. He writes for many police and crime magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer, Campus Law Enforcement Journal, and others. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com, Booksamillion.com, and can be ordered at local bookstores.