May 30, 2003

Lansing - The Michigan State Police Bomb Squad is now better equipped to respond to weapons of mass destruction and other explosive devices with the addition of new Bomb Squad Response Vehicles.

Each of the seven regional Michigan State Police Forensic Laboratories will maintain a Bomb Squad Response Vehicle. The laboratories are located in Bridgeport, Grand Rapids, Grayling, Lansing, Marquette and Northville. The vehicle stationed at the Sterling Heights Forensic Science Laboratory was developed by the General Motors Corporation as a prototype in August 2002.

"These vehicles greatly enhance the Bomb Squad’s ability to effectively handle conventional, biological, chemical and nuclear devices capable of producing great loss of life and property," stated Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant, Director of the Michigan State Police. "Having a vehicle in each region of the state benefits our homeland security efforts by improving response time and allowing for multiple responses at once."

The new vehicles are 28 feet in length, consisting of a GM 5500 series chassis and an 18-foot aluminum body. The interior includes cabinets specially designed to accommodate the Bomb Squad’s high-tech equipment. The vehicles even include a wheelchair lift for the deployment of robots.

In addition to the vehicles, MSP bomb technicians are equipped with the latest developments in robotics, real time X-ray technology, communications equipment and computer systems. The Bomb Squad also has chemical and radiological detection and monitoring systems and personal protective equipment for its members.

The MSP Bomb Squad became operational in the early 1970s. Their primary responsibilities include the recognition, reconnaissance, access, render-safe and disposal of hazardous devices including weapons of mass destruction. The Bomb Squad responds to and safely resolves over 300 incidents a year.

To become a member of the MSP Bomb Squad, an individual must attend and successfully complete an intensive five-week course at the FBI Hazardous Devices School in Huntsville, Ala. Team members are re-certified every three years.

The MSP Bomb Squad currently consists of 19 members located at seven regional forensic laboratories across the state. They provide their services to local communities free of charge.

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.