Explosive Ordinance Disposal
The Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit’s role
with the Sheriff’s Office can best be described
as “hazard mitigation.” EOD handles all types of
incidents related to explosives, from
ammunition inspections to found explosives.
Found explosives might be deteriorated
blasting agents such as old dynamite, or
improvised explosive devices. EOD personnel
are trained to disable incendiary and improvised
explosive devices and a wide array of hazardous
material situations. Additionally, they have been
trained to operate in all types of conditions from
high-angle cliffs to confined spaces.
The EOD unit also provides services to other specialty units within the Sheriff’s Office beyond just explosive devices. Members of this unit are trained to operate a robot that has been used
numerous times to assist SWAT in remotely breaching, entering and clearing buildings. This robot is also capable of performing forward observation through a camera on the front of the robot and a remote observation screen, Break and Rake access to clear debris paths, vehicle disabling, and downed officer retrieval.
EOD is also able to assist SWAT with explosive breaching in order to rapidly access a structure or to create gun ports and man-ways. Video feed
from the robot can be recorded for documentation of critical incidents. This video
can be vital in determining what resources are needed and where. The robot can also assist CNT by delivering throw phones or negotiations can be carried out directly through the robot. EOD assists detectives and CSI with investigations in their particular field of expertise, including post-blast investigation.
In 2017, there were a total of 28 callouts for EOD.
Some of the dangerous items removed this year
include a 1940’s era blasting cap, some 1950’s
era dynamite, and WWII era hand grenades. The
squad also experienced a record of eight call
outs during the month of August.
EOD can often be found at community events.
These events give the team an opportunity to
engage, interact and educate with the adults and
youth in the community. These events include
Red Ribbon Week, Explorers training and the
Citizen’s Academy.
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3
2
1
5
3
1
2
Recoveries
Suspicious Packages
Hoax Device
Post Blast
SWAT Assist
Technical Assist/Consultation
Search Warrant
Event Standby
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(Left) Real camera footage stills taken by the EOD robot.