Mississippi State University is scheduled to partner with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to provide explosive awareness training. The university will host the FBI National Improvised Explosives Familiarization (NIEF) and Chemical Outreach Workshop (CIOW) on Sept. 25 from 1-5 p.m. Although the event is open to everyone, the FBI will be specifically addressing law enforcement, first responders, chemical industry representatives and university employees. The free workshop aims to teach specific personnel how to readily identify makeshift explosives.
The awareness training will be held in the auditorium at the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems in the Cochran Research Park from 1-3:15p.m. Following shortly after will be the explosives demonstration at the Mississippi Horse Park from 3:30–5 p.m.
Chief Vance Rice, MSU Police Chief, said the primary goal is to protect the Starkville and MSU community.
“Ultimately, makeshift explosives are a growing concern for not only MSU, but the entire nation. We should expect more instances like the Boston bombing and plan ahead,” Rice said. “This awareness training gives a basic level of understanding to the average patrol officer for what they should expect when they run across an explosive.”
Rice also said that the MSU police force will add canines to its team.
“We will be getting a couple of dogs. At least one will be an explosive detection canine,” he said. We will probably be getting them by the end of September.”
Students are encouraged to attend the training as well.
Gregory Abadie, a junior chemical engineering major, said an event like this is important because it increases understanding and promotes the community’s overall well-being.
“I would be interested in going to a training like this because I believe it makes a person more aware of the potential negative ramifications that can arise from a lack of knowledge,” Abadie said. “As a chemical engineering student, I think it is important to be aware of chemicals and their possible deadly combinations. In the chemical engineering industry, one must always think of the safety of others.”
Patricia Cox, MSU biosafety officer, said that the training is to show the community how easily an improvised explosive can be constructed.
“From a university perspective, there are many chemicals on campus that can be used for explosives. If the appropriate people know they have those certain chemicals they will keep better inventory of them. This training is especially important for people in the chemistry industry and chemical retail,” Cox said. “Overall, better inventory and better safety is key.”