ALERT | Awareness and Localization of Explosive-Related Threats

Range Day at TTU

Since the inception of ALERT, TTU Profs. Brandon Weeks and Louisa Hope-Weeks have actively shared their explosives handling knowledge to train local first responders, particularly the Lubbock County Bomb Squad. TTU hosted a West Texas-wide range day. The approximately 30 participants included individuals from ATF, DHS, and bomb squads from as far away as Dallas (350 miles).

“I have conducted a lot of demo operations throughout my career and I am typically only surrounded by other Bomb Technicians.

However, out here in West Texas with the help of Texas Tech University and the DHS funding they are receiving, we have been able to include other bomb squads from other cities and counties. We have been able to increase our abilities as well as knowledge base with their expertise in explosives.

Having Brandon and his students just a phone call away is a tremendous asset to West Texas and its ability to mitigate the threat.”

– Quote by Steve Shedd, a Bomb Appraisal Officer with TSA’s West Texas office and one of the range day participants, expressing the value of the TTU researcher outreach.