Las Vegas City Wire

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue has been operating the sole public safety agency bomb squad in Southern Nevada for the past 40 years. This team is responsible for responding to over 100 explosive-type incidents annually, not only within Southern Nevada but also extending their services to other counties in California and Arizona.

The bomb squad provides essential counter-IED and mutual aid response services to Northern Nevada and neighboring states such as California, Arizona, and Utah. It is recognized as a FEMA Type 1 Bomb Squad. Each member of this unit holds the position of a sworn Special Deputy - U.S. Marshal and participates in the FBI - WMD Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Notably, this accredited bomb squad stands out as one of the few fire department-based squads among approximately 8% of the 466 authorized public safety bomb squads nationwide. The commander of this unit holds a prestigious position on the National Bomb Squad Commander's Advisory Board (NBSCAB), marking a first for fire department-based squads.

All members are certified as Nevada POST sworn category 1 peace officers and are trained emergency medical technicians or paramedics. They have received certification as FBI-certified Bomb Technicians from the FBI – HDS (Hazardous Device School) in Huntsville, Alabama, adhering to national guidelines set by NBSCAB.

For more than 48 years, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue's organized bomb squad has worked closely with local, military, and federal agencies including but not limited to the FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals, USAF EOD, NV National Guard CST, Secret Service, along with all law enforcement agencies within their jurisdiction.

The team's combined service time amounts to 284.5 years with an average service length of 21.8 years per member.