Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon.gov Homepage

Explosives Unit

Our Explosives Unit is accredited and all Hazard Device Technicians are certified through the FBI National Bomb Squad Commanders’ Advisory Board. Technicians are located in each region of the state and provide explosive-related assistance to public safety agencies, other government agencies and citizens. We provide explosives investigations, render-safe of known improvised explosive devices, analysis of suspect packages, and the destruction of unwanted or deteriorated explosive materials. Additionally, explosives-related training is provided for personnel who may encounter hazardous items.  Click below for further information:


Technicians are issued state of the art equipment. Some examples: hazardous duty robots, total containment vessels, radiograph equipment, advanced disablement tools, and bomb suits to respond to almost any explosives related incident which may be encountered by public safety personnel.​
​

Technicians are qualified to conduct render safe operations of improvised explosive devices (bombs), booby traps, and military ordnance, as well as destruction of unwanted or deteriorated explosives, blasting caps, explosive chemicals, fireworks, and any other explosive items such as railroad torpedoes and specialty items. The technicians are also trained in post-blast investigation and weapons of mass destruction response. They are available to testify as expert witnesses on explosive related criminal prosecutions.

Staff can conduct training in Basic Explosives Recognition, Bomb Threat Planning and Response, Booby Trap Survival, and any other explosives related subjects. We work with other explosives units in Oregon and neighboring states and with the U.S. Military and federal agencies with responsibility in the explosives field.
​

ORS 480-200 defines “Explosive” as a chemical compound, mixture or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion. The term includes, but is not limited to, dynamite, pellet power, initiating explosives, detonators, safety fuses, squibs, detonation cord, igniter cord and igniters, but excludes fireworks as defined in ORS 480-110, primers and fertilizer, as defined in ORS 633.310.

Explosives are divided into two distinct groups:

Low explosives deflagrate (burn) rather than detonate (explode). These are primarily used as propellants. The arbitrary cut-off speed between high and low explosive is 3,300 fps (feet per second). An example of a low explosive if black powder.

High explosives shatter. Detonation velocities for high explosives range from 3,300 fps to 29,900 fps. Examples of high explosives include blasting caps, dynamite, TNT, plastic explosives, binaries and blasting agents.

Explosives should not be handled and are dangerous.

Just because it isn’t real doesn’t mean it’s not a crime:

ORS 166.385 Possession of a Hoax Destructive Device. (1) A person commits the crime of Possession of a Hoax Destructive Device if the person knowingly places another person in fear of serious physical injury by:

  • Possessing, manufacturing, selling, delivering, placing or causing to be placed a hoax destructive device; or
  • Sending a hoax destructive device to another person.
​