Bomb Squad

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad

Established in 1998, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad serves as a vital resource for the greater Kanawha Valley, specializing in the safe disposal and neutralization of dangerous explosives. The team handles a wide range of explosive threats, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs), commercial explosives, military ordnance, fireworks, and ammunition.

Key Responsibilities and Services

In addition to its core mission of bomb disposal, the Bomb Squad provides critical support to various operations and services, including:

  • Support for SWAT operations

  • Protective bomb sweeps for visiting dignitaries and special events

  • Enhanced security at key infrastructure sites

  • Emergency planning and coordination at local, state, and federal levels

  • Specialized IED countermeasure training for both government and commercial sectors

As a regional resource, the Bomb Squad also extends its services through mutual aid to eight other counties in West Virginia and the State of Kentucky.

National Accreditation and Team Expertise

The Bomb Squad has maintained continuous accreditation from the National Bomb Squad Commander’s Advisory Board and the FBI since its inception, ensuring it adheres to the highest standards of safety and operational readiness.

The team is made up of eight FBI-certified Hazardous Devices Technicians (bomb techs) and two explosives detection canine teams. Each technician undergoes a rigorous training process:

  1. Hazardous materials course

  2. Six-week FBI Hazardous Devices School at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama (state-of-the-art training facility)

  3. Advanced training in areas such as post-blast investigation, explosive destruction techniques, SWAT, explosive breaching, and diving

To ensure the highest level of preparedness, the team trains a minimum of one day per month.

Explosive Detection Canine Teams

Among the most valuable members of the Bomb Squad are the explosives detection canine teams. These teams consist of highly trained dogs and their handlers, who undergo 10 weeks of intensive canine training followed by monthly advanced training sessions. Their primary responsibilities include:

  • Protective sweeps of high-risk areas like critical infrastructure, schools, and government buildings

  • Regular patrols to detect potential threats

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad remains committed to safeguarding the Kanawha Valley, providing expert bomb disposal, protective sweeps, and specialized training to ensure the safety of both the public and law enforcement agencies.