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TSA Pittsburgh Takes Explosives Detection Training Outside the Airport

Press & Happenings

October 4, 2007

From left, Pittsburgh TSOs Roger Dane, Gary Colombo and Kathy Donnelly, Pittsburgh FSD Joe Terrell and Bomb Assessment Officer Mike Sears participate in a live explosives exercise.
From left, Pittsburgh TSOs Roger Dane, Gary
Colombo and Kathy Donnelly, Pittsburgh FSD
Joe Terrell and Bomb Assessment Officer
Mike Sears participate in a live explosives
exercise.

TSA at Pittsburgh International Airport took explosives detection training to the next level recently by joining the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for a live field exercise for more than 20 transportation security officers (TSOs).

During a demonstration hosted by the Allegheny County Police Explosive Range, TSOs were shown a wide range of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and experienced their destructive powers firsthand. Most important, TSOs learned effective ways to identify explosives by type as well as proper explosive search procedures.

"Our training is very progressive," said Joseph Terrell, federal security director of Western Pennsylvania. "Learning should not be confined to a classroom or a computer screen. We want them to see it, feel it, and understand the destructive nature behind explosives so that they will be better prepared to do their jobs."

The training also included a visual display of IED components and a briefing on recent terrorist activities and the types of IEDs and liquid-based explosives that were used.