GASTONIA, N.C. -- Bomb technicians from across the country were in Gastonia, N.C., this week training to counter a serious threat to public safety -- vehicle bombs.
Because the World Trade Center bombing in 1993 and the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 were caused by vehicle bombs, experts stay up on their training. Gastonia Police and the FBI sponsored the training that included bomb experts from across the country.
Experts said car bombs aren't a rampant problem in the U.S. right now, but we are not immune.
“The technicians are out here today to deal with one of the number-one threats in Ameria they are here, they've been here but it's easier to think of them being overseas,” said Sgt. Edward J. Turas of the Gastonia Bomb Squad.
Four instructors from the Hazardous Devices School in Alabama were on site. Every bomb technician in the country attends that school for certification. There are about 2,500 civilian bomb technicians in the U.S.
“Our school started in 71 because of the Vietnam War and it's still relevant today because all of the military bomb disposal technicians are deployed,” said Paul M. Carter, hazardous devices instructor.
Experts said car bombs aren't a rampant problem in the U.S. right now, but we are not immune. Bomb technicians from across the country were in Gastonia to train police.
Field demonstrations are done to bridge the gap between the formalized classroom education, which is required every three years.
“When you're away from the school house, sometimes you start slacking off and you start taking short cuts and we come up and we correct that. We remind them why they're here and make sure they're safe and go home at the end of the day,” Carter said.
“Every explosion you hear today is the lives they save tomorrow,” said Turas.
Bomb technicians from Gastonia, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Durham County, Cabarrus County, the SBI and the FBI participated in the training.
Instructors from the Hazardous Devices School in Alabama said when emergencies happen and bomb squads are called in to work together, it helps that they all received training from the same place.