NCJ Number
168105
Date Published
1997
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This training videotape depicts and recommends procedures that police, fire, and rescue personnel who are first responders to a bomb incident should use to prepare for a secondary device and ensure the safety of victims, bystanders, and the first responders themselves.
Abstract
The recommended procedures are based on the experiences of Georgia personnel and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency in connection with three recent bombings. The discussion emphasizes the need to adjust traditional policies and procedures to protect first responders. The four recommended rules are to (1) anticipate the existence of a secondary device; (2) manage the scene effectively by expanding perimeters and taking other actions; (3) rapidly evacuate victims; and (4) recover the evidence properly through careful scene documentation, preservation of the evidence, and management of the chain of custody. Emergency personnel are advised to avoid letting their guard down, to identify the injured persons without exposing themselves to danger, be aware where a secondary device might be hidden, and recognize that a cellular telephone or radio can cause the detonation of a secondary device. Additional recommendations