Officers have a blast in explosives course

Eleven-year-old Ethan Cady learned a simple but vital lesson Wednesday: "Don't play with explosives."

The second day of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' three-day post-blast investigation course Wednesday ended with demonstrations.

Ethan and other children invited by law enforcement officials watched at the Moccasin Bend firing range along with area law officers and members of Volkswagen plant security staff.

Lt. David Woosley with the Chattanooga Police Department bomb squad showed how various explosives punched holes in steel and plywood, destroyed a car, blew up a chicken carcass and ripped apart portable toilets.

Ethan said he enjoyed watching the toilet blow up.

"The car was cool, too, because half of it was almost gone," he said.

Ethan's father, Colin Cady, said he won't forget the blown-up chicken, which simulated the consequences of a blasting cap going off in a person's hand.

"The flesh-and-bone part of the chicken really makes an impact," Mr. Cady said.

The explosives course teaches officers how to investigate a blast by looking for clues as to what accelerants were used or where the explosive was placed.

The regional focus helps agencies better work together if a blast occurs, said Darryl Hill, resident agent in charge of ATF's Chattanooga field office

"By sharing information and talking to each other, we lessen the possibility of injury or death," Mr. Hill said.

He said 98 percent of explosive events nationwide occur because of misuse and not terrorism.

Teaching children about the dangers is important because they may stumble upon dynamite or blasting caps, he added.

"We need to get to these kids while they're curious, but before they're of the age they can act on it," Mr. Hill said.

Anyone finding explosive devices should call Chattanooga police at 698-2525.

Tennessee explosives numbers for 2008

3: Explosive incidents

7: Incendiary incidents

47: Bomb threats

12: Explosive devices recovered

4: Incendiary devices recovered

Source: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives