Contents
- 1 Overview of BOMB
- 2 Are there any other likely scenarios involving secondary explosive devices?
- 3 Are there any standard guidelines on how to handle an incident involving secondary explosive devices?
- 4 Can the average citizen help prevent incidents related to secondary explosive devices?
- 5 How might these devices be deployed?
- 6 How should first responders prepare for an incident involving secondary explosive devices?
- 7 How should I prepare my worksite for an event involving a secondary explosive device?
- 8 What are secondary explosive devices?
- 9 What are sources of radioactive material?
- 10 What are the dangers of the dirty bomb?
- 11 What are the essential elements of the USFA guidelines?
- 12 What do I need to do to become a bomb disposal technician?
- 13 What does a bomb disposal technician do?
- 14 What if I am nearby and a "dirty bomb" goes off?
- 15 What is a “dirty bomb”?
- 16 What is the difference between a dirty bomb and the atomic bombs used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
- 17 What should I do if there is a “dirty bomb” explosion in my city?
- 18 Where could I be working?
- 19 Will I get cancer?
- 20 Will India’s devastating COVID-19 surge provide data that clear up its death ‘paradox’?
- 21 History of BOMB
Overview of BOMB
Are there any other likely scenarios involving secondary explosive devices?
The Transportation Security Administration has issued warnings related to a possible terrorist event in which a small explosive, or nuisance device might be activated on a subway platform during the height of rush-hour.This initial explosion would result in an evacuation to a nearby street where a secondary explosive device may be detonated to target responders and the public.
Are there any standard guidelines on how to handle an incident involving secondary explosive devices?
The U.S.Fire Administration (USFA) has made available basic guidelines related to secondary explosive devices which have been modified from those used by the Florida Division of the State Fire Marshal.
Becoming more aware of unusual activity, or “situational awareness” as it is commonly termed, is important both at the worksite or in public places.Being alert to unusual activity may help prevent a terrorist action.
How might these devices be deployed?
Typically these devices will be hidden in out of view locations, or camouflaged by placing the devices in ordinary objects such as vehicles, flashlights, briefcases, flowerpots, or garbage cans.Usually the devices are detonated by a time delay, although radio-controlled devices or cell phone activated devices could also be used.
How should first responders prepare for an incident involving secondary explosive devices?
Health and safety plans (HASP) should include protocols for responding to a terrorist event recognizing the possibility that secondary explosive devices may be used at the scene.
How should I prepare my worksite for an event involving a secondary explosive device?
Your employer’s emergency plans should include procedures for evacuation in the event of an emergency and training for employees on how to recognize a potential secondary explosive device that might be placed at the scene.
What are secondary explosive devices?
Secondary explosive devices are bombs placed at the scene of an ongoing emergency response that are intended to cause casualties among responders.Secondary explosive devices are designed to explode after a primary explosion or other major emergency response event has attracted large numbers of responders to the scene to inflict additional injury, damage, and fear.
What are sources of radioactive material?
There has been a lot of speculation about where terrorists could get radioactive material to use in a dirty bomb.The highest-grade radioactive materials are present in nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons sites.However, increased security at these facilities would make theft of these materials extremely difficult.It is far more likely that radioactive materials used in a dirty bomb would come from low-level radioactive sources.These sources are found in hospitals, on construction sites and at food irradiation plants.They are used to diagnose and treat illnesses, sterilize equipment, inspect welding seams, and irradiate food to kill harmful microbes.Most of these sources are not useful for constructing a dirty bomb.
What are the dangers of the dirty bomb?
The primary danger from a dirty bomb containing a low-level radioactive source would be the blast itself.Gauging how much radiation might be present is difficult when the source of the radiation is unknown.However, at the levels created by most sources, there would not be enough radiation in a dirty bomb to cause severe illness from exposure to radiation.Certain radioactive materials dispersed in the air could contaminate several city blocks, create fear and require costly cleanup.
What are the essential elements of the USFA guidelines?
These guidelines recommend that responders: (1) Anticipate the presence of a secondary device at any suspicious incident.(2) Search for a secondary device before moving into the incident area.(3) Avoid touching or moving anything that may conceal an explosive device.(4) Effectively manage the scene with boundaries, exclusion zones, triage areas, etc.(5) Evacuate victims and non-essential personnel as quickly as possible.(6) Preserve the scene as much as possible for evidence collection and crime investigation.
What do I need to do to become a bomb disposal technician?
There are several ways to become a bomb disposal technician.Most technicians start their careers in the British army, but you can also train to do this job in the Royal Air Force or the Royal Navy.Some routes differ slightly, depending on whether you’re an officer or not.
What does a bomb disposal technician do?
Bomb disposal is also known as explosive ordnance disposal (EOD).As a bomb disposal technician you would usually begin your career in one of the armed forces.You could work in a warzone or a civilian setting.On a job, you would identify, make safe or dispose of different kinds of dangerous explosive devices.
What if I am nearby and a "dirty bomb" goes off?
The biggest danger is from the force of the explosion.
What is a “dirty bomb”?
A dirty bomb, or radiological dispersion device, is a bomb that combines conventional explosives, such as dynamite, with radioactive materials in the solid, liquid or gaseous form.A dirty bomb is intended to disperse radioactive material into a small, localized area around an explosion.The main purpose of a dirty bomb is to frighten people and contaminate buildings or land.
What is the difference between a dirty bomb and the atomic bombs used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
There is a big difference.The atomic explosions that occurred in Hiroshima and Nagasaki were caused by nuclear weapons.A dirty bomb is a conventional explosive device that has been adapted to spread radioactive material and contaminate only a small area.Because the material will disperse as a result of the explosion, areas near the blast will be contaminated.The level of contamination will depend on how much radioactive material was in the bomb, as well as the weather conditions at the time of the blast.
What should I do if there is a “dirty bomb” explosion in my city?
If a dirty bomb goes off in your city, it will probably not affect you unless the explosion is very close to your location.Keep televisions or radios tuned to local news networks for information.Remember that even if a dirty bomb goes off in your city, it will likely affect only a small area.
Where could I be working?
You could serve in the UK or overseas in combat or ex-combat zones.You would face a wide variety of conditions and situations.Working environments could range from on board a ship or a submarine to working in an ammunitions store or destroying terrorist bombs in a warzone or civilian setting.
Will I get cancer?
Being near a radioactive source for a short time or even being exposed to a small amount of radioactive material does not mean that a person will get cancer.
Will India’s devastating COVID-19 surge provide data that clear up its death ‘paradox’?
By Jon CohenApr.