Emergency responders in the U.S. are paying close attention after three failed vehicle bombs in Britain placed that nation at its highest security level.

The first device was located in the busy nightclub district of London on the evening of June 29. An ambulance crew, on call in the area, notified police after they spotted smoke coming from a parked Mercedes. Inside the car, responding emergency personnel discovered propane tanks, gasoline, and nails. The bomb was wired to be detonated by cell phone.

The bomb squad disabled the bomb before it detonated, preventing what could have been a "significant injury or loss of life," according to Peter Clarke, the head of London's anti-terrorist police. A nearby nightclub was packed with over 1,700 patrons, while other restaurants, nightclubs and theaters in the area were also bustling at the time.

Several hours later, a second Mercedes packed with gas and nails was discovered in an impound lot, where it had been towed from its original location just a few hundred yards from the first vehicle. On Saturday, two men slammed a fiery SUV into the main entrance of the Glasgow airport in what British police believe to be a related incident. Bystanders wrestled one of the men down at the scene, and police arrested both, including one man who was badly burned. There were no other injuries in any of the incidents.

With the glaring exception of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, which was the result of a vehicle bomb, the U.S. has been spared the devastation of this particular brand of terrorism. August Vernon, of the Forsyth County (NC) Office of Emergency Management (NC) lectures extensively on the topic of Improvised Explosive Devices – a subject he became quite familiar with during his previous tenure as a security contractor in Iraq. He has provided us with the following guidelines for responders to suspected vehicle bombs. He cautions, however, that these guidelines do not supercede local guidelines and procedures, which must always be followed.

VBIED Identification
Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) can be discovered during a terrorist or criminal explosives response, or will be discovered when conducting normal, routine activities. VBIEDs will be designed to be concealed or blend in as an ordinary vehicle. Responders should be very cautious of any vehicles that arouse your curiosity Visible indicators:

• A vehicle is parked suspiciously for a prolonged amount of time in a central location or strategic location
• The vehicle or the rear of the vehicle appears to be weighted down
• Stolen, non-matching plates or no plates at all
• Wires, bundles, circuit boards, electronic components, unusual containers, devices or materials visible in the vehicle
• Ordinance such as blasting caps, detcord, military explosives, commercial explosives, grenades artillery, etc.
• Unknown liquids or materials leaking under vehicle
• Unusual attachments or bodywork
• Any combination of the above described items.

Responding
First responders should not attempt to approach a confirmed or suspected IED or VBIED; this is a job for specially trained personnel. The following actions may be appropriate for first responders. However, please utilize local guidelines and procedures:

• When responding, get all the dispatch information you can via pager, cell phone or mobile data terminal (MDT). Do not discuss over radio if possible.
• Scan the areas where you are parking and staging
• Minimum stand off distance of 1,500-1,,750 feet fromt eh vehicle
• Rapidly implement and utilize Incident Command System (ICS) and necessary components
• Always be aware of secondary devices and vehicles
• Do not use two-way radios, cell phones, mobile data terminals (MDT) within 1,500-1,750 feet of the vehicle or suspected vehicle if possible
• Observe the vehivle with binoculars or spotting scope
• Clear and control the area of operation as you would a hazmat event
• Immediately call for assistance including Bomb Squad assets.

First Responders should not attempt to move, handle or disarm a confirmed or suspected IED or VBIED; This is a job for specially trained personnel.

For more information on responding to Improvised Explosive Devices and other criminal activities, click on the Resources tab at the top of this page.