Counter-IED Training Courses

The Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) offers bombing prevention training through multiple platforms to meet stakeholder needs: direct delivery in-person in a traditional classroom setting or in-residence at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP), online through a virtual instructor-led training (VILT) platform, and through independent study training (IST).

All training courses offered by the Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) are available at no cost, comply with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) standards, and are certificated for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through the Center for Domestic Preparedness. A FEMA Student ID (FEMA SID) is required to participate in OBP course offerings. To obtain a FEMA SID, visit the FEMA SID Registration webpage.

Download the printer-friendly Counter-IED and Risk Mitigation Training fact sheet.

Direct Delivery In-Person Training

Coordinated through DHS Protective Security Advisors (PSAs), State Homeland Security Officials, and training offices, OBP courses educate federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial participants—such as municipal officials and emergency managers, state and local law enforcement and other emergency services, security staff, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and private partners—on strategies to prevent, protect against, respond to, and mitigate bombing incidents. For more information or to request OBP counter-improvised explosive device (IED) direct delivery in-person training, please contact the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center by emailing NICC@hq.dhs.gov or email OBP@cisa.dhs.gov.

Become an OBP certified trainer through our Empowered Trainer Initiative, Counter-IED Train-the-Trainer Program. Learn more here.

Download the printer-friendly Instructor-Led Training Fact Sheet.

Bombing Prevention Awareness Course (AWR-348)

Participants: 15-250+
Audience: Public and private sector individuals interested in or required to have a basic awareness of bombing prevention measures. Public safety personnel, emergency managers, law enforcement, and special event security personnel can also benefit from the course.
Course Length: 1 day (8 hours)
Recommended Prerequisites: None
Description: The Bombing Prevention Awareness Course provides participants knowledge of general bombing prevention measures that aid in mitigating the impact of a bombing incident, including:

IED construction and classification
Homemade explosive (HME) precursor awareness
Explosive effects mitigation
Introduction to the terrorist attack cycle
Identification of suspicious behaviors and items

Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the Bombing Prevention Awareness Course.

Bomb Threat Management Planning Course (MGT-451)

Participants: 15-25
Audience: Public and private sector emergency management representatives, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and law enforcement.
Course Length: 1 day (8 hours)
Recommended Prerequisites:

Description: The Bomb Threat Management (BTM) Planning Course introduces participants to the DHS risk management process and the development of a BTM plan. During the course, participants will learn how to apply specific portions of the risk management process and BTM procedures against mock BTM plans. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the BTM Planning Course.

IED Search Procedures Course (PER-339)

Participants: 15-25
Audience: Public and private sector facility owners and operators and security staff that may be tasked with search duties during a bomb threat incident
Course Length: 1 day (8 hours)
Recommended Prerequisites:

Description: The IED Search Procedures Course introduces participants to basic, low-risk search protocols and allows participants to practice an IED search of a facility, an area, and a route in order to reduce vulnerability and mitigate the effects of IED attacks. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the IED Search Procedures Course.

Protective Measures Course (PER-336)

Participants: 15-25
Audience: Public and private sector security personnel at the executive, management, and operations level. Public safety workers, emergency managers, law enforcement, and special event security could also benefit from this course.
Course Length: 1 day (8 hours)
Recommended Prerequisites:

Description: The Protective Measures Course provides participants with a basic understanding of how to identify risks and vulnerabilities to a facility, determine additional security needs for a special event or public gathering, and identify and apply physical and procedural protective measures to mitigate the threat of an improvised explosive device (IED) or vehicle-borne IED. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the Protective Measures Course.

Surveillance Detection Course for Law Enforcement and Security Professionals (PER-346)

Participants: 15-25
Audience: Law enforcement and public and private sector security staff
Course Length: 3 days (24 hours)
Recommended Prerequisites: FEMA IS-914: Surveillance Awareness: What You Can Do
Description: The Surveillance Detection Course instruction on how to detect hostile surveillance by exploring surveillance techniques, tactics, and procedures from an adversary’s perspective. These skills enhance counter-IED capabilities of law enforcement and security professionals to detect, prevent, protect against, and respond to IED threats. This course incorporates multiple hands-on exercises and culminates in a field exercise that includes role players. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for Surveillance Detection Course.

Vehicle-Borne IED (VBIED) Detection Course (PER-312)

Participants: 15-25
Audience: First responders, public safety officers, security officers, and law enforcement officers tasked with inspecting vehicles for explosive threats, hazards, or prohibited items
Course Length: 1 day (8 hours)
Recommended Prerequisites:

Description: The VBIED Detection Course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to recognize the VBIED threat and identify VBIED components and devices, methods for reacting to improvised explosive devices, and procedures for inspecting vehicles to detect VBIEDs. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the VBIED Detection Course.

Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program (BMAP) Outreach Officers Course (MGT-450)

Participants: 15-25
Audience: Select first responders and officials with community outreach responsibilities who accept the duties of a BMAP Outreach Officer
Course Length: 1 day (8 hours)
Recommended Prerequisites: None
Description: This one-day, management-level training program is designed to help participants develop outreach strategies and to provide guidance and materials for them to conduct outreach to industries and businesses within their jurisdiction to increase public and private sector awareness of homemade explosive (HME) precursor chemicals and improvised explosive device (IED) components. At the completion of the training, it is intended that the participant will establish an outreach program and conduct outreach activities within their community. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the BMAP Outreach Officer Course.

Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program (BMAP) Administrator Training (MGT-450-1)

Participants: 15-25
Audience: Select first responders and officials with community outreach responsibilities who accept the duties of a BMAP Administrator and BMAP Outreach Officer Course Instructor (DHS provides funding for state, local, and private sector professionals to attend the BMAP Administrator/Trainer MGT-450-1 course)
Course Length: 4 days (32 hours)
Recommended Prerequisites: None
Description: This four-day, management-level training provides participants with the information and skills required to administer BMAP within their respective jurisdictions and to teach the BMAP Outreach Officers course. At the completion of the training, it is intended that the participant will establish and administer an outreach program within their jurisdiction by selecting, training, and providing oversight and guidance to local Outreach Officers.

Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) Courses

Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) courses provide general counter-IED information to a broad audience via online training with a live instructor using Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) Adobe Connect platform. Perfect for participants with time availability constraints, most classes are approximately one-hour in length and can be taken independently. For more information and to register, visit the VILT Schedule and Registration webpage. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for VILT Courses.

IED Construction and Classification (AWR-333)

Participants: 15-50
Audience: Public and private sector individuals interested in or required to have a basic awareness of IED construction and classification
Course Length: 60 minutes
Recommended Prerequisites: None
Description: The IED Construction and Classification awareness level course provides an overview of the various components required for IED production. The course is designed to provide foundational knowledge about the construction and classification of IEDs, including their function, components, classifications, and how they are constructed. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the IED Construction and Classification course.

IED Explosive Effects Mitigation (AWR-337)

Participants: 15-50
Audience: Public and private sector individuals who are interested in or require a basic awareness of how to mitigate the explosive effects of IEDs
Course Length: 60 minutes
Recommended Prerequisites: None
Description: The IED Explosive Effects Mitigation Course introduces participants to the effects of detonations and details the difference between blast, thermal/incendiary, and fragmentation effects and the destructive consequences of each on various targets. It also describes security measures and best practices that can help prevent or mitigate explosive effects. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the IED Explosive Effects Mitigation course.

Introduction to the Terrorist Attack Cycle (AWR-334)

Participants: 15-50
Audience: Public and private sector individuals who have responsibility for critical infrastructure protection as well as those who are interested in or required to have a basic awareness of terrorist operations and bomb prevention
Course Length: 90 minutes
Recommended Prerequisites: None
Description: The Introduction to the Terrorist Attack Cycle Course introduces a conceptual model of common steps that terrorists take in planning and executing terrorist attacks. It enhances participants’ awareness and capability to prevent, protect against, respond to, and mitigate attacks that use IEDs against people, critical infrastructure, and other soft targets. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the Introduction to the Terrorist Attack Cycle course.

Homemade Explosives (HME) and Precursor Awareness (AWR-338)

Participants: 15-50
Audience: Public and private sector individuals who are interested in or required to have a basic awareness of homemade explosives and precursor chemicals
Course Length: 60 minutes
Recommended Prerequisites: None
Description: The HME and Precursor Awareness Course provides a basic understanding on HMEs and common precursor materials. Participants will define HMEs, explain the considerations perpetrators have when evaluating whether or not to use HMEs as the explosive for an attack, and identify common precursor chemicals and materials used to make HMEs. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the Homemade Explosives and Precursor Awareness course.

Protective Measures Awareness (AWR-340)

Participants: 15-50
Audience: Public or private sector individuals who are required to have information regarding protective measures against IEDs and/or are interested in taking the protective measures performance based course
Course Length: 60 minutes
Recommended Prerequisites: None
Description: The Protective Measures Awareness Course introduces participants to identifying and filling facility security gaps. It provides a basic understanding on risks, risk management, and the three rings of security: physical protective measures, procedural/technical protective measures, and intelligence protective measures. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the Protective Measures Awareness course.

Response to Suspicious Behaviors and Items (AWR-335)

Participants: 15-50
Audience: Managers and employees of stores that sell homemade explosive precursors, facility managers, public and private sector emergency management representatives, security professionals, and law enforcement
Course Length: 60 minutes
Recommended Prerequisites: None
Description: The Response to Suspicious Behaviors and Items Course serves as an overview of appropriate responses to suspicious behaviors and items by differentiating normal and abnormal behaviors and highlighting appropriate responses to potential terrorist or criminal activity. It also discusses the differences between unattended and suspicious items, and the responses for each situation. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the Response to Suspicious Behaviors and Items course.

Independent Study Training

Independent Study Training (IST) provides general counter-IED information to a broad audience through a series of self-paced, hands-on, web-based courses available on TRIPwire under Counter-IED Training or through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute (EMI). Download a fact sheet for Independent Study Training courses.

IED Awareness and Safety Procedures (AWR-341-W)

Website: TRIPwire Counter-IED Training
Audience: Public and private sector emergency management representatives
Course Length: 60 minutes
Recommended Prerequisites: None
Description: The IED Awareness and Safety Procedures Course provides foundational knowledge concerning IEDs and proper safety precautions and procedures for reacting and responding to unattended and suspicious items. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the IED Awareness and Safety Procedures course.

Homemade Explosives and Precursor Chemicals Awareness for Public Safety (AWR-349-W)

Website: TRIPwire Counter-IED Training
Audience: Law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other public safety personnel
Course Length: 60 minutes
Recommended Prerequisites: None
Description: The Homemade Explosives and Precursor Chemicals Awareness Course provides foundational knowledge about homemade explosives (HME), the precursor chemicals that are used to manufacture HME, and actions to take if HME precursor chemicals or equipment are thought to be present during a routine service call. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the Homemade Explosives and Precursor Chemicals Awareness for Public Safety course.

Bomb Threat Preparedness and Response (AWR-903-W)

Website: TRIPwire Counter-IED Training
Audience: Critical infrastructure owners and operators, public safety officers, emergency mangers, security officers, law enforcement officials, private sector security professionals
Course Length: 60 minutes
Recommended Prerequisites: None
Description: The Bomb Threat Preparedness and Response course is an online independent study training. It uses interactive exercises and case histories of what actually happened during bomb incidents to familiarize participants with the steps necessary to prepare for and respond to a bomb threat. Download a printer-friendly fact sheet for the Bomb Threat Preparedness and Response course.

Interactive Scenarios for Public Safety Responders Training

Website: TRIPwire Counter-IED Training
Audience: Law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other public safety personnel
Course Length: 90 minutes
Recommended Prerequisites: None
Description: The Interactive Scenarios for Public Safety Responders Training, developed in partnership with the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO), provides multiple scenarios designed to heighten public safety responders’ awareness of IEDs and enhance reaction skills for an initial response to an IED event.

IS-912 Retail Security Awareness: Understanding the Hidden Hazards

Website: FEMA EMI IS-912: Retail Security Awareness: Understanding the Hidden Hazards
Audience: Public and private sector emergency management representatives
Course Length: 45 minutes
Prerequisites: None
Description: Course provides an overview of prevention steps aimed at identifying and monitoring high-risk inventory products and reporting suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.

IS-914 Surveillance Awareness: What You Can Do

Website: FEMA EMI IS-914: Surveillance Awareness: What You Can Do
Audience: Public and private sector emergency management representatives
Course Length: 60 minutes
Prerequisites: None
Description: Course provides an overview of surveillance activities and the indicators associated with them, as well as the actions that employees and service providers can take to report potential surveillance incidents.

Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Explosive Precursors Point of Sale Training

Website: NSI Training Website
Audience: Commercial retail and sales personnel
Course Length: 1 hour
Recommended Prerequisites: None
Description: Available from the Nationwide SAR Initiative (NSI), this interactive course instructs sales personnel involved at the point of sale on behaviors and indicators that are reasonably indicative of potential terrorist and/or criminal bomb-making activity; how and where to report suspicious activity; and how to protect privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties when documenting information. It also instructs personnel of the types of suspicious activity that might be observed during their daily duties.

Contact Information

To request in-person training, please contact the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center or email the Office for Bombing Prevention at OBP@cisa.dhs.gov for additional information.

For more information and to register for any of the virtual instructor-led training courses, visit the VILT Schedule and Registration webpage.

For more information and to take any of the computer-based training courses, visit Counter-IED Training on TRIPwire or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute (EMI).

To report an emergency or suspicious activity, call 9-1-1 or contact local law enforcement.