§ 23-28.2-5 - Bomb disposal unit. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 23-28.2-5

   § 23-28.2-5  Bomb disposal unit. – (a) Within the division, there shall be a bomb disposal unit (bomb squad),accredited by the FBI as a bomb squad, whose duties it will be to handle anddispose of all hazardous devices suspect to be explosive or incendiary inconstruction which includes any weapons of mass destruction (WMD) that may beexplosive or chemical in construction.

   (b) The State Fire Marshal shall appoint a bomb technician tosupervise the operations of this unit and the technician must be certified bythe FBI as a bomb technician. The bomb technician must ensure that all bombtechnicians are trained and maintain certification, the bomb squad maintainsaccreditation, and ensures that all equipment belonging to the bomb squad ismaintained and in operating condition at all times. The bomb technician mustalso provide to cities and towns and local businesses or any otherorganizations procedures in bomb threats, and procedures where explosivedevices or suspect devices are located.

   (c) The State Fire Marshal shall appoint from the localcommunities volunteer assistant deputy state fire marshals, as bomb squadmembers only, to assist in carrying on the responsibilities of this unit. Thevolunteers, who must be available for immediate response when called upon, beavailable to participate in training sessions, shall be approved by their localfire or police chief, and must have their chief sign an agreement (memorandumof understanding) which provides for their release during emergencies andtraining and assumes liability for any injuries that may occur to them. Allbomb squad members shall operate only under the direction of the State BombSquad Commander or senior ranking Deputy State Fire Marshal who is certified asa bomb technician. The bomb squad may also request assistance from the localfire and police authorities when handling any explosive or incendiary device,WMD or post incident investigations.