Explosives Knowledge Center Questionnaire

1. During non-crisis day-to-day operations, what are your most authoritative sources of information and assistance regarding explosives? Please assign a rating on a scale from 1 to 3, where 1 represents "least authoritative," 2 represents "somewhat authoritative," and 3 represents "most authoritative."

Factor Rating
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
Federal Bureau of Investigation
National Bomb Squad Commanders Advisory Board (NBSCAB)
Energetic Material Research Testing Evaluation Center (EMRTEC)
Hazardous Materials Units
Southeast Regional Counter Terrorism Task Force Training Facility
Technical Support Working Group (TSWG)
International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators
Hazardous Devices School (HDS)
Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME)
National Law Enforcement Technology Center
Pacific Northwest Bomb Squad Unit Collaborations
Local Bomb Squad
Internet
Personal Contacts

2. Within the last 12 months have you contacted any of the above entities for information about the following?
(Please highlight or check all that apply)

Suspect packages
Bomb threats
Response protocol assistance
Lessons learned
Trends in threats and explosives
Training and education

3. How easy is it to get the information you need regarding explosives in a day-to-day non-crisis situation?
(Indicate whether you agree or disagree with each of the following statements)

Statement Selection
Intelligence information A. plentiful
B. easy to access
C. easily verified
Explosive device and material information is A. plentiful
B. easy to access
C. easily verified
Vulnerability assessments are A. plentiful
B. easy to access
C. easily verified
Response protocol information is A. plentiful
B. easy to access
C. easily verified

4. How important are the following factors in determining where you turn to for information and assistance during non-critical, day-to-day operations? Please assign a rating on a scale from 1 to 3, where 1 represents "not a factor at all" and 3 represents "most important factor."

Factor Rating
My personal relationship with source
Credentialed Access — access to info controlled by password
Response time for information requests
Ease of access to information
Must be nationally recognized within explosives community
Experience

5. Please describe any special relationships you may have with other jurisdictions or organizations in your work with explosives?

6. Within the past 12 months, how often did you seek information or assistance from outside organizations regarding explosives?
(Please highlight or select only one answer)





7. Which of the following methods do you rely upon to learn about and evaluate new equipment?
(Select all that apply)

Visit with vendors at conferences
Buy what is on standardized equipment list
Information shared at Hazardous Device School
Free trials from manufacturers
Check with other bomb squads for their experience

8. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements describing training available to first responders?

Statement Selection
There is an abundant amount of training courses available
Recertification training and high turnover rate make it difficult to keep up
More online and CD-based training would be useful
Much of our training is on-the-job

9. Within the explosives community, are lessons learned from domestic and international incidents readily available?

10. During crisis operations how do you access outside sources for information and assistance?
(please highlight or check all that apply)

In-person
Telephone
Cell phone
Radio
Email
Internet
Computer access to databases

11. During crisis operations, how might an Explosives Knowledge Center assist first responders?

12. Please indicate how valuable the following items would be to you if they were available through an Explosives Knowledge Center? Please assign a rating on a scale from 1 to 3, where 1 represents "least authoritative," 2 represents "somewhat authoritative," and 3 represents "most authoritative."

Statement Selection
Training lesson plans
Comprehensive listing of upcoming training opportunities including conferences, classes, and meetings.
Simplified access to databases and resources available from other sources
Contact information for other individuals and organizations that can provide assistance
SOPs from other jurisdictions on threat handling
Basic information for first responders
Links to federal laws pertaining to explosives, storage, transportation, etc.
Technical and cost information on equipment
Reliable and respected staff
Early notification of new technologies

13. What do you see as the most valuable contribution an Explosives Knowledge Center could make to first responders?

14. Contact information

Name
Title
Jurisdiction / Agency / Company
Email

15. Industry/Government Affiliation (check all that apply)

Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Federal Bureau of Investigations
Technical Support Working Group
National Laboratory
Other Federal agency
HazMat Unit
Local Bomb Squad
Police Department
Fire Department
Other State or Local department
National Law Enforcement Technology Center
Energetic Material Research Testing Evaluation Center
Southeast Regional Counter Terrorism Task Force Training Facility
Hazardous Devices School
Academic
Retail
Transportation
Energy
Agriculture
Consulting
Mining
Manufacturing
Finance/Banking
Communications/IT
Tourism
Other Commercial:

16. Industry/Government Affiliation (check all that apply)

National Bomb Squad Commanders Advisory Board
International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators
Pacific Northwest Bomb Squad Unit Collaborations
Institute of Makers of Explosives
Other:

17. Span of Operations