Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) are nothing new. Nor are Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED). However, they have gotten the world's attention after the three incidents in the U.K.
The recent attacks in Britain coupled with the previous attacks in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Iraq underscore the continued terrorist reliance on improvised weapons that have proven to be successful. One such technique is referred to as vehicle borne improvised explosive devices or (VBIED's). Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices and especially suicide VBIED bombing have been until quite recently a Middle Eastern phenomenon.
The tactic was first broadly used in the Lebanese Civil War by the Islamic fundamentalist group Hezbollah. The most notable car bombing is the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing which killed 241 U.S. Marines and 58 French. In the Lebanese civil war one estimate says that 3,641 car bombs were detonated with untold causalities and damage.
The approach is very simplistic. Take an ordinary vehicle, car, van or truck and pack it with explosives, propane cylinders, add other materials such as nails, ball bearings or marbles as shrapnel and put it all together with a remote detonation device like a remote garage door opener or a cell phone and you have the basic VBIED. A full sized sedan can hold upwards of 1,000 lbs. or 227 kilos and a full size SUV may carry as much as 4,000 lbs. or 1,818 kilos so proper evacuation distances are mandatory. While no one type of vehicle or class of explosives or chemicals are typical of VBIEDs, there are some indications that could assist in the early identification of a potential VBIED.
Emergency First Responders should immediately isolate the area by referring to the evacuation zone figures to the left. Secondly they should deny to all except necessary personnel such as law enforcement and bomb squad members. If the vehicle is on fire, use unmanned hose lines and possibly foam to extinguish the flames. Due to the toxic smoke, self contained positive pressure breathing apparatus are required. All those responding to a VBIED should remember a secondary device is often planted and detonated shortly after emergency personnel arrive on scene.
The use of VBIED's provide the terrorists the ability to place large amounts of explosives in close proximity to hard or soft targets. VBIED's by nature have a high degree of mobility which in turn making them into precision weapons that has the potential to cause mass casualties and substantial physical destruction. Given the recent events in Britain, the VBIED threat against the US and our interests abroad remains high. This is also true for other nations who's beliefs run contrary to those of the terrorists.
Potential Indicators of VBIED Activities
Theft reports containing explosives, blasting caps, or fuses/flares, or certain chemicals used in the manufacture of explosives.
Complaints of strange smells around recently rental self-storage space for the purpose of storing chemicals or mixing apparatus.
Reports of chemical deliveries directly from the manufacturer to a self-storage facility or unusual deliveries of chemicals to residential or rural addresses.
Recent reports of chemical fires, toxic odors, brightly colored stains, or rusted metal fixtures in apartments, hotel/motel rooms, or self-storage units.
Modification of truck or van with heavy duty springs to handle heavier loads.
Reports of small explosions in rural wooded areas (May be tests).
Emergency room reports of chemical burns or treatment for missing hands/fingers
Protective Measures
Soft targets are the target of choice for terror attacks -- particularly those with high casualty count possibilities. Examples include but are not limited to: Shopping malls, hotels, popular night spots, sporting events business & government buildings and complexes. Terrorism risk management measures should be rigorously reexamined to ensure adequacy.
These measures include but are not limited to: physical security perimeters, isolation of mail and delivery areas, set back distances between security fences and key buildings, and barricades. In addition, you should encourage personnel to be alert and to immediately report any situation that appears to constitute a threat or suspicious activity.
Rearrange exterior vehicles barriers, traffic cones, and road blocks to alter traffic patterns near facilities to reduce straight “runways”.
Implement highly visible vehicle, foot and roving security patrols that vary in size, timing and routes. In addition install visible security cameras and motion sensors. Limit the number of access points and strictly enforce access control procedures and increase parameter lighting.
Approach all illegally parked vehicles in and around facilities, question drivers and direct them to move immediately. If an owner can not be identified, have vehicle towed by law enforcement.
Remove view restricting vegetation in and around perimeters and maintain regularly. Institute a robust vehicle inspection program, including but not limited to checking under the undercarriage of vehicles, under the hood, and in the trunk. Provide vehicle inspection training to security personnel.
Conduct vulnerability studies focusing on physical security, structural engineering, infrastructure engineering, power, water, and air infiltration, if feasible.
All delivery services and businesses who deliver should take the following precautions:
Keep complete records of all official identification cards, badges, decals, uniforms, and license plates distributed, documenting any unusual activities or events, and canceling access to items that are lost or stolen.
Continuous monitoring of all vehicles, including tracking vehicles that are in service, in repair status, or sent to salvage.
Protect and account for all uniforms, patches, badges, ID cards, and other forms of official identification to protect against unauthorized access to facilities, including stripping all decommissioned vehicles slated for resale and/or salvage of all agency identifying markings and emergency warning devices.
Use new and improved tamper proof identification card technology to eliminate reuse or unauthorized duplication.
Notify your uniform store vendors of the need to establish and verify the identities of individuals seeking to purchase uniform articles
Ensure all personnel are provided a security briefing regarding present and emerging threats
Always Remember: “Look for things that are there that shouldn't be and things that should be there but aren't”.
