Wednesday, April 10, 2019

'Raven's Challenge' Bomb Squad Training Returns to New York


The New York State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany is hosting the 2019 Raven's Challenge, the world's largest training event for bomb squads and military explosive ordnance disposal teams. The annual event, held in four locations around the country, trains bomb technicians on how to counter the threat of improvised explosive devices to keep the public safe. This year's exercise will feature bomb squads from around the northeast, Canada and Europe.

"Public safety is our top priority, and it is critical that our first responders have access to the highest quality exercises and trainings available,"said Governor Andrew Cuomo. "New York is proud to once again host the Raven's Challenge, and to welcome first responders and law enforcement from across the globe to our world-class preparedness training center right here in the Mohawk Valley."

Led by the United States' Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Center for Explosives Training and Research, the 2019 Raven's Challenge runs at four locations throughout the U.S. from March 10 to June 14. In addition to holding the event at New York's State Preparedness Training Center for the third time, exercises are also being held in Colorado, Florida and Indiana. During the week-long exercise, teams participate in scenario-based exercises developed with the current threat environment in mind.

During the Raven's Challenge, more than 100 bomb technicians from various law enforcement and military entities participate in scenario-based training, including a dignitary protection sweep coordinated by the United States Secret Service, a situation involving a 3D printed grenade that can be dropped by a drone or projected by a tube, and a courthouse checkpoint scene involving an explosive device uncovered during an X-ray.

Click here for the full announcement.

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

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