FBI to Host Improvised Explosive Familiarization Initiative

NEWARK, NJ—On Thursday, May 13, the Newark Division of the FBI will present an improvised explosives demonstration at Coyle Field in Waretown, New Jersey (located on Route 72) at 2:00 p.m. This demonstration is part of a three-day National Improvised Explosives Familiarization (NIEF) training course being held at the Ocean County Fire and EMS Training Academy.

The NIEF 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, the FBI Laboratory, the FBI Critical Incident Response Group, and 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 Weapon 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, distributors, and retailers of precursor chemicals that can be used by terrorists or experimenters to make improvised explosives.

Michael B. Ward, Special Agent In Charge of the FBI’s Newark division, added: “Recent events in Detroit and New York have demonstrated the threat we face from improvised explosives. This planned demonstration provides an excellent opportunity to provide additional insight into this threat, and thus promote enhanced information sharing among law enforcement and the private sector.”

Attendees of 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 demonstration will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m. and will last approximately one and one-half hours. The media is advised to arrive early.