EOD can often be found at community events.
These events give the team an opportunity to engage, interact and educate with the adults
and you in the community. These events
include National Night Out, Red Ribbon Week,
Explorers training, the Citizen’s Academy and
the County Fair.
The EOD unit has always required a "Modern
Approach" to stay relevant. Much of the skills
needed for bomb disposal require technology,
which is constantly changing and upgrading.
This also requires additional and continual
training for our technicians to maintain and
learn the skills necessary to succeed. As a
regional team, we are able to train and learn
from all of the nearby agencies. We have also
spent the year researching and preparing to
purchase new and improved equipment, which
we hope to share with you in next year’s annual
report!
In 2018, there were a total of 24 callouts for EOD.
Some of the dangerous items removed this year
include a military training mortar which
appeared modified, blasting caps, dynamite,
and an improvised explosive device. EOD also
assisted patrol in clearing multiple locations
after receiving bomb threats.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
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Operations
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
cameras, 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 through
walls. 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 and 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.
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The Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
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 recovering 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. They
have been trained to operate in all types of
conditions from high-angle cliffs to confined
spaces.
Recoveries of Explosives
Suspicious Packages
Hoax Device
SWAT/Patrol Assists
Search Warrant
Arson Investigation