Security
Explosives training focuses on increase in ATM bombs
April 15, 2021
Bomb squads from across the country trained at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in North Vernon, Indiana, with federal and military experts and the Raven's Challenge joint explosives training program. During the training period squad members also had the opportunity to share information about the latest threats to public safety, according to a reporton Channel 4.
The program allows police departments to work with military and ATF bomb technicians. The trainees learn skill, techniques, tactics and procedures and should an emergency every break out in their respective areas, the squad is training to respond together.
The Raven's Challenge, which is organized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, is funded by the Department of Defense to provide the latest training to deal with the latest threats to public safety.
This year, program attendees received training on how to handle an explosive device planted inside an ATM. ATF officials say they've seen a 400% increase in such cases over the last year, coinciding with months of protests and civil unrest in cities across America.
According to one of the trainers, TF Special Agent Matt Nollau, ATM bombs have been a problem in Europe for many years but only emerged in the U.S. in 2015. However, 2020 saw the sharpest increase on record, going from approximately 10 to 20 in the U.S. to 80+.
Explosive devices were located inside ATMs in Philadelphia last weekend.
While program leaders didn't want specific techniques revealed, this week's training involves showing bomb technicians how to X-ray an ATM in order to find the device, then safely remove and dispose of it.
"And they learn how the machine works, how the machine functions," Nollau said. "Thus, when they go back to their home area and they face this problem, they're going to have that education and that experience to solve the problem safely."
The Raven's Challenge training week wraps up on Friday. The next stops for the program will be Boston in June, then Iowa in September.
