Second Quarter 2001 (issued September 2001)

ATF Explosives Industry Newsletter

Arson & Explosives Programs Division (AEPD)
   Division Chief - Guy K. Hummel
   Deputy Division Chief - Phil Horbert

Public Safety Branch (PSB)
   Branch Chief - Gail Hosey Davis

Arson & Explosives National Repository
Branch (AENRB)
   Branch Chief - William Spruce

Canine Operations Branch (COB)
   Branch Chief - Rhonda Trahern

Explosives Technology Branch (ETB)
   Branch Chief - Mark Murray

Violent Offender Branch (VOB)
   Branch Chief - Phil Durham

Although the recovery and disposal of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) garners the most media coverage, increased hazards exist to public safety officers during the recovery and disposal of abandoned or improperly stored commercial explosives. Injuries and death have occurred this past year during such operations, a sad reminder of the daily risks taken by our public safety officials. Just as we have continually asked for industry's cooperation in working to prevent thefts and to report them promptly to ATF, we also ask that

industry members promptly report information on any deteriorated explosive materials to public safety officials and ATF.

With regard to our responsibility as administrators of the Federal explosives laws, ATF has available trained and experienced special agent certified explosives specialists (SACES) and explosives enforcement officers (EEOs) authorized to dispose of hazardous explosives after recovering them from both land and from under water. We have encountered instances where explosives are disposed into bodies of water by persons hoping that the material would not be discovered, creating a potential public safety hazard for the recreational fisherman, boater, and swimmer. ATF provides State and local Training (SLT) and is committed to sharing these disposal techniques through training of State and local bomb technicians in the Advanced Explosive Destruction Techniques course, utilizing "lessons learned" by ATF, State, and local instructors. ATF's Training Directorate has partnered with the Edmond (OK) Police Department in the development of a comprehensive Underwater EOD Recover course that allows graduates to work in black water conditions to search for, and recover, explosive materials and devices.

Working together, ATF and the professionals of the explosive industry and public safety agencies of this nation can safely mitigate hazardous explosives situations.

Gail Hosey Davis Returns to Public Safety Branch

On September 3, 2001, the Public Safety Branch welcomes back Gail Hosey Davis as its new chief. Gail replaces former Branch Chief Richard Van Loan,