Welcome to the Kenosha Sheriff's Department
Kenosha County Bomb Squad
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department, the Kenosha Police Department and Pleasant Prairie Police Department formed the Bomb Squad as a multi-jurisdictional unit in 1993. Shortly thereafter they were joined by the Kenosha Fire Department. These agencies identified the need to provide their deputies, officers and fire fighters with a support unit dealing in explosive of suspected explosive devices, suspicious packages, bomb threats, fireworks storage and disposal.
Field operations began in early 1995.
In February 1998 the unit underwent a dramatic change. The unit was transferred over to the control of the Kenosha Sheriff’s Department. The Kenosha Sheriff’s Department is now the lead agency and controls the unit. Along with this transfer of power and unit equipment came a change in leadership. The Sheriff now provides all support to the unit and is responsible for its operational readiness and training. This transfer was beneficial to the unit and has opened up many opportunities. 1998 was also the year in which the unit was certified as a full explosive disposal unit, one of 392 accredited FBI bomb squads in the United States. Additional equipment has been added including two disrupters, a second x-ray, two search suits, a second bomb suit, explosive storage unit, and a second fully operational bomb truck.
The unit is made up of three members of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department, three members of the Kenosha Police Department and two members of the Kenosha Fire Department. Since 1998, all eight members of the unit have graduated from the FBI Hazardous Device School in Huntsville, Alabama, the only civilian bomb technician training school in the United States. With eight bomb technicians, the bomb Squad has the largest number of technicians in the State of Wisconsin.All members not of the Sheriff’s Department are deputized by the Sheriff in order for them to act and have full authority anywhere with the boundaries of Kenosha County.
Training
Members of the squad train an average of sixteen hours a month. Members receive training in countercharging, fireworks destruction, safe handling procedures regarding chemical and incendiary devices, Render Safe Techniques for Pipe Bombs and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD’s).
Presently, the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad has four members trained as Hazardous Materials Technician under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 165.15 standard. Additionally, we have one member who has received training and is on the D.E.A.'s task force for Clandestine Meth Labs. All Hazardous Devices Unit members belong to the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators.
The unit has consulted on a bill before the Wisconsin Senate that would ban and create a law for any explosive or look alike explosive used in a criminal act.
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad provides informational training and presentations to businesses, institutions, and civic groups. Some of those organization that have used the service are the Kenosha Unified School District, Daimler Chrysler Corporation – Kenosha Engine Plant, Westosha Kiwanis, Gateway Technical College, the Paddock Lake Highway Department, the Racine Office of the Social Security Administration and the Racine Fire Department. Topics that have been covered are Bomb Threats and Threat planning as well as the identification, handling and policies for suspicious packages. The HDS has provided in-service training through Gateway Technical College to law enforcement personnel.
The unit feels that public education is the key to public safety and reducing injuries from misuse or misunderstanding of explosives and fireworks.
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad responds to explosive and suspicious package incidents within Kenosha County. Any agency needing HDS services contacts the on-duty Kenosha County Sheriff Supervisor at 262-605-5100 or 262-656-6600, who then notifies the HDS Commander. Generally the HDS can be on the road within 45 minutes.
Besides handling bomb calls in Kenosha County, the HDS has responded to incidents in Racine County and will respond to requests from any County in Southern Wisconsin. The Bomb Squad charges $300 for a minimum of three hours and $100 for every hour after that.
