By Russ Nelson
Public Safety Bomb Technicians (PSBTs) routinely face some of the most dangerous environments in emergency management and first-response situations for their community. Their work requires disciplined decision-making, explosives training and a commitment to protecting lives while responding to suspicious or potentially dangerous devices. One critical component of that training is understanding the how an explosive event may impact people, structures and the surrounding environment. A new technology developed at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is helping PSBT personnel better understand those hazards and make more informed decisions in the field. UAH is a part of The University of Alabama System.
The Blast Zone Calculator (BZC), developed by the UAH Research Institute in collaboration with the FBI Hazardous Devices Tools and Technologies Unit, is a first-of-its-kind Android application designed specifically for PSBT activities. The application can be used during both incident response and planned disposal operations to determine the expected blast zone, blast overpressure, fragmentation and decibel noise levels associated with an explosive event. The application has been approved for use on FBI Android devices and has been provided to state and local PSBTs nationwide, as well as Department of War bomb technicians.
Awareness of blast overpressure and sound exposure can help technicians recognize the range of hazards that may be present during an incident, reinforcing the importance of maintaining appropriate safety distances, employing protective measures and carefully evaluating operational risks.
“Every suspicious device presents its own uncertainties, and no two situations are exactly alike,” explains Dr. Megan Gober, Principal Research Engineer. “The Blast Zone Calculator gives bomb technicians a tool that provides immediate feedback to help assess potential hazards, communicate those risks and support sound operational decisions.”
Because each incident presents unique circumstances, bomb technicians continue to rely on established procedures, ongoing training and professional judgment to evaluate hazards while minimizing risks to responders and the public. A strong understanding of the physical effects associated with explosive events can complement those practices and contribute to safer operations.
“The Blast Zone Calculator demonstrates how the FBI is collaborating with academia to ensure tools are available for our first responders to keep our homeland safe from the enduring threat of explosive devices,” says Michael David Holt, FBI Section Chief, Hazardous Devices Operations Section. “Tools like this represent cutting edge technology to not only keep our first responders safe, but to enable those first responders to help private sector, venue owners and operators and critical infrastructure partners develop plans and procedures to plan for and mitigate the harmful effects of explosive incidents.”
The technology also has value beyond the benefits provided to individual technicians. By providing a common framework for understanding potential blast hazards, the BZC can support incident commanders and partner agencies as they coordinate emergency responses.
When responding organizations have a shared understanding of potential hazards, they are better positioned to establish protective perimeters, determine appropriate protective measures, coordinate evacuations when necessary and help safeguard critical infrastructure.
The development of the BZC reflects UAH’s commitment to applied research and providing innovative solutions to challenges with direct implications for public safety. For bomb technicians and the agencies that support them, the application represents more than a technological advancement. It is another resource to help translate complex information about explosive hazards into actionable knowledge when it matters most.
