Hazardous Device Unit (Bomb Squad)
The Hazardous Device Unit (HDU) is part of the Special Operations Division and consists of one full-time and five part-time technicians assigned to various divisions within the department. The squad became nationally accredited in 2001, prior to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The HDU is federally funded and is a regional team serving 16 counties in Georgia, and one county in South Carolina.
The HDU responds to hazardous scenes involving homemade bombs, discarded or improperly stored commercial explosives, military ordnance and chemical, biological and radiological health hazards. The unit trains bi-weekly with live explosive materials and technical tools to maintain the necessary expertise to handle these hazards. The six deputies assigned to this specialty unit must attend regular training and re-certification courses provided by the FBI at Red Stone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL.
On average, the Bomb Squad responds to approximately 80 calls of service over the course of a year. The unit's highly trained and skilled members are equipped with specialty tools including a custom designed bomb disposal response vehicle, a total containment explosive vessel with transport, and two remote bomb disposal robots. The team also uses other equipment such as state-of-the-art x-ray technology, blast resistant suits and weapons used for neutralization of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Some of the major services provided by the squad include:
- Investigation of suspicious packages
- Render safe operations performed on explosive devices
- Disposal of found explosive materials
- Collection and preservation of evidence at bombing scenes
- Training programs on bomb threat awareness, safety, and explosive device identification
- Provide technical support to special operations and events
- Investigation of suspicious packages
- Render safe operations performed on explosive devices
- Disposal of found explosive materials
- Collection and preservation of evidence at bombing scenes
- Post blast crime scene investigations
- Dignitary protection
- Training programs on bomb threat awareness, safety, and explosive device identification
- Provide technical support to special operations and events