Local Officers Complete State of the Art FBI Explosives Training

On Thursday, April 30, 2009, area military, state and local law enforcement officers will complete a three-day National Improvised Explosives Familiarization (NIEF) training course hosted by the Houston Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with the assistance of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad.  The course will culminate with an improvised explosives demonstration at the Harris County Sheriffs Academy, 2316 Atascocita Road, Humble, Texas. 

The NIEF training initiative supports the FBI’s top priority to protect the United States from terrorist attacks by training our investigators and law enforcement partners in regard to the emerging improvised explosive threat.  The NIEF initiative is a partnership between the FBI Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, FBI Laboratory and FBI Critical Incident Response Group, along with the 56 FBI field offices and the more than 100 Joint Terrorism Task Forces based out of those FBI field offices. 

“The FBI remains fully committed to sharing knowledge with our partners about the threat of improvised explosives in the fight against potential terror attacks,” said Dr. Vahid Majidi, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate. “The opportunity to exchange information and raise awareness among the general public is also a key goal as we continue this vital outreach effort.”

Participants in the three-day NIEF training receive in-depth instruction and course materials in accordance with their respective roles, responsibilities and technical certifications.  The goal of this training is to enhance awareness and outreach programs to first responders, and to inform private sector wholesalers, distributers and retailers of precursor chemicals that can be used by terrorists or experimenters to make improvised explosives.

"The Houston Office of the FBI  is committed to taking full advantage of every opportunity that allows us to share vital information with our state and local partners,” said Andrew R. Bland, III, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Houston Office of the FBI.  “The scientific and technical expertise that has been developed at the national level will prove to be a valuable enhancement to regional authorities in their constant efforts to keep our communities safe."

“I’m honored we can provide assistance to the FBI by availing our Sheriff’s Academy and Bomb Squad for specialized training concerning improvised explosives,” stated Adrian Garcia, Sheriff of Harris County. “I’m always willing to work closely with members of our extended law enforcement family toward the common goal of protecting the public.”

Attendees to the explosives demonstration will witness over a dozen examples of improvised explosive and incendiary mixtures that have been used by terrorists around the world.  There will also be subject matter experts on hand to discuss the threat posed by the readily available chemical precursors for these mixtures. 

The three-day course is being attended by members of the United States Air Force, United States Army, FBI Houston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Harris County Hazmat, Houston Police Department, Pasadena Police Department, La Porte Police Department, Corpus Christi Police Department, Port of Corpus Christi Police Department, Austin Police Department, San Antonio Police Department, and the Laredo Police Department.