Bomb Squad

The Bergen County Police Department Bomb Squad has been serving the citizens of Bergen County since 1975. The County Police administration recognized a need in the county for a response to a growing problem of explosive threats and devices in the County. The first squad members received their training from the International Chief's of Police Association and the United States Army in Huntsville, Alabama.
 

The squad responded to an average of 40 to 60 calls during its initial years. Over the years the expertise and staffing have grown in order to keep up with the ever increasing number of calls and sophistication of bombs and bombers. The original bomb squad members were trained to deal with simpler devices and equipment.
 

Today's bomb technicians are trained to deal with advanced electronics, such as radio controlled bombs and larger, deadlier devices. The Bergen County Police Bomb Technicians are highly trained and equipped with some of the latest technology in handling explosive threats to the citizens of Bergen County.
 

The Bergen County Police Department Bomb Squad currently consists of eight bomb technicians and three K-9 handlers. The bomb squad performs numerous services throughout Bergen County. Since 1990, requests for service has increased on average 10 to 15 percent a year. In 1996, the Bomb Squad responded to 199 incidents.
 

The requests for services range from actual or suspected devices, to removal and destruction of military ordnance, explosive chemicals and fireworks, along with providing protection for visiting dignitaries, such as President Clinton, former Presidents Bush and Reagan, and others.
 

Our Bomb Technicians now attend the only Bomb Technician training course offered in the world. The training is provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at a minimal cost, (lodging, food and salary). This training is a month long intensive program, which covers basic electronics on up to advanced devices. Technicians are trained in the latest, "render safe" procedures and equipment. Free updated training is also provided by the F.B.I. on a biannual basis.
 

Bergen County Police Bomb Technicians have also been provided with post-blast training by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms at minimal cost. This training allows members of the unit to respond to crime scenes that involve explosive devices and reconstruct the device. This is an important skill, needed to assist other law enforcement agencies in criminal apprehension.
 

Along with the squad's other duties, members also have provided training and expert assistance to the County's numerous corporations, as well as with County and local schools and colleges, government offices, fire departments, ambulance corps, and police. The Bergen County Police Bomb Squad is the only agency in the county, authorized and trained by the F.B.I. to exist as a bomb squad. The New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad is the only other agency available to assist local and county agencies during a bomb-related emergency.
 

The squad can now respond to two emergencies at once with a full complement of equipment. Currently the unit has two bomb trailers, (one especially designed for high rise and mid-rise building response), two portable x-ray units, two bomb suits and all other required equipment, along with one robot. The squad has responded to simultaneous emergencies on four occasions in 1996.
 

The Bomb Squad had developed a reputation as a professional and expert unit. Not only does it assist the seventy law enforcement agencies in the county, the unit is also routinely requested by the F.B.I., the A.T.F, the Secret Service, the Department of State,  as well as other agencies for assistance on numerous occasions. The Bomb Squad provides a valuable and cost-effective service to the citizens and business community of Bergen County.
 

Services Provided

The bomb squad will safely remove and dispose of all explosives and hazardous devices, including:

 

	Bombs
	Suspected bombs
	Military Ordnance
	Explosive chemicals
	Hazardous devices
	Commercial explosives
	Deteriorating (unstable) explosives
	Fireworks
	Outdated police chemical agents and ammunition

 

The following services are also available through the bomb squad. Explosive-detecting canines are available for all relevant situations:

 

	Bomb threat searches
	VIP and dignitary protection (relative to bombs)
	Warrant executions related to explosives (Drug labs, booby traps, known bombers, terrorists)
	Post-blast investigations (collecting and preserving evidence, expert testimony, etc.)
	Bomb threat response planning for industry and schools

 

Who to Call

For all emergencies, disposal requests, information or to plan future operations, call Bergen County Police Headquarters, any time:

(201) 646-2700

What to Do

Bomb Threats:

Evaluate the seriousness of the threat to determine if an evacuation is necessary. What sort of facility has been threatened? (A threat against an abortion clinic, for example, would always be credible.) Is there a history of unfounded threats against this facility? What is known about the caller from his voice, speech, and statements? If caller ID is in use, where did the call originate? (A threat against a high school, made by a juvenile calling from a pay phone within the school during exam week, might be judged not to be a credible threat).
 

Evacuate if judged necessary.

Bombs, military ordnance, unstable explosives:

Do not move, touch, or otherwise disturb the item. Evacuate for a safe distance. If possible, shut off natural gas in the area. If the danger of explosion appears significant, dispatch fire units to a safe stand-by area.

Suspected bombs:

Do not move, touch, or otherwise disturb the item. Evaluate the credibility of the suspicion and, if appropriate, follow the recommendations for actual bombs.

 

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Micah Hassinger, Systems Administrator and Webmaster
Copyright © 1998-2006 Bergen County Police Department. All rights reserved.
Revised: February 20, 2003