Officers go ‘hands on’ with a bomb By PATRICE ST. GERMAIN patrices@thespectrum.com
SPRINGDALE – If you asked Springdale Police Chief Kurt Wright two months ago what he thought of a backpack left on a shuttle bus bench, Wright would have replied that a tourist went off and left it.
Now, after going through incident response bomb training, Wright said even in quiet Zion Canyon, a backpack left behind should be handled with caution as it could contain a bomb.
Wright, part-time Zion Canyon police officer Todd Hohbein, who is also a deputy state fire marshal, and Nick Hallman, a law enforcement officer, underwent a four-day training session at the end of April at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center in Socorro, N.M. The Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings training, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, opened Wright’s eyes to what could happen if a terrorist left a seemingly innocent backpack behind.
“What impressed me the most is how destructive these explosives are,” Wright said. “It really wakes you up and you learn how to respond and how to be safe.”
With more than 2 million visitors a year coming into Zion Canyon, Wright said the training was important because of the high visitation rate and the proximity to major cities.
During the peak season – from March to October – the free shuttle bus service runs through Springdale and Zion National Park. Fortunately, the most common items left behind are sunglasses and hats said Parks Transportation, Inc. office manager Elizabeth Schroder.
“Most commonly left behind are sunglasses, hats and small camera cases and on occasion a backpack,” Schroder said. “Usually, when a backpack is left behind, we have someone asking about it before we find it. It usually doesn’t get to the point that it comes in with the bus.”
Hallman, who has been a law enforcement officer for more than seven years, said he never attended any exercises like this, but said it was some of the best training he has ever received.
“It was outstanding, really well done and informative,” Hallman said.
Hallman said the training and information was presented in such a way that it could be put to use in a daily routine.
“You never want to say never about the possibilities (of a terrorist bombing) happening here because it could happen anywhere but the information they gave us was presented so it could be incorporated into everyday, practical use,” Hallman said.
During the training, the officers saw explosives detonated ranging from a blasting cap to a 500-pound bomb, which completely destroyed the car it was in; letter bombs; and dummies with explosives in briefcases.
“Even a small bomb put in the right place is very dangerous,” Wright said.
In addition to learning about the destructiveness of various bombs, Wright said the group was trained on setting up perimeters and assisting bomb experts and when and where to expect bombs.
Wright said the training, which included footage of Columbine High School, focused on key dates to watch out for; international, political, and religious terrorist attacks; and background on terrorists.
“We are by no means bomb experts, but we did learn how to respond to bomb incidents,” Wright said. “After this training, we have a new appreciation for explosives and what it can do to a human being. It’s pretty humbling.”