Office of Bombing Prevention: Basic Bomb Safety & Awareness

Basic Bomb Safety & Awareness (1-Day)

Date: May 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Who May Attend

Law enforcement (any level) and interested community members

Overview

This one-day training provides foundational awareness and practical guidance to support bombing prevention and public safety. Participants will learn how to recognize suspicious activity and behaviors, understand key concepts related to improvised explosive devices (IEDs), build awareness of homemade explosives (HME) and common precursor materials, and review appropriate response considerations when encountering suspicious behaviors or items.

Class Topics

1) Suspicious Activity Recognition for Bombing Prevention

Provides public safety and security professionals with the knowledge and skills to identify suspicious activity related to bombing prevention for facilities/systems and planned or unplanned events. Includes:

• An introduction to the BOMBER acronym

• Baseline behaviors and operational indicators

• Materials and behaviors that may signal concern

2) IED Construction & Classification

Provides an overview of components commonly required for IED production and offers foundational knowledge of:

• IED function and core components

• Common classifications

• General construction concepts and terminology

3) Homemade Explosives (HME) & Precursor Awareness

Provides foundational knowledge about HME and common precursor materials, including how to:

• Define HME

• Identify common precursor chemicals and materials

• Understand how HME may be used in an attack

• Increase awareness to help prevent or mitigate explosive effects

4) Response to Suspicious Behaviors & Items

Provides a foundational introduction to recognizing and responding to suspicious behaviors and activities that may be connected to criminal or terrorist activity, with emphasis on appropriate actions and reporting.

Topics and the order of instruction may be subject to change at any time.