By Brandon Mulder
Midland Reporter-Telegram
MIDLAND, Texas — The Midland Police Department’s bomb squad recently lit the fuse to 20,000 pounds of seized fireworks near Big Spring. Under the auspice of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Lubbock bureau, MPD and three other regional police departments received training on proper disposal of court-ordered destruction.
According to Russ Morrison, ATF public information officer of the Dallas Division, ATF periodically conducts destruction of explosive materials confiscated for lawful violations. For months, ATF holds the explosive materials in off-site bunkers until cases are adjudicated, and the materials destroyed. Many of these materials, Morrison said, were likely confiscated during the latest Fourth of July out of El Paso, Tyler, Dallas and Lubbock.
In this latest fusillade, ATF explosive technicians were recently disposing pyro-techniques, which are the No. 1 killer to bomb-techs Morrison said.
“That’s why we work to really train everyone we can in the safe disposal of the product,” he said. “Not only are you getting rid of that product, but you’re also training local and county bomb-techs on safe disposal.”
Recently, an ATF enforcement officer was disposing of flash powder-a popular and highly volatile explosive material-in Washington. When the officer had knelt down on the pit of powder, his key-fob inadvertently released a alight electrical charge setting the powder off and killing him.
And last year a commercial fireworks display tragically exploded in Comanche, killing one and injuring three.
ATF enforcement operation is a relatively small outfit with only 2,200 agents nationwide. With such little man power, the bureau often cooperated with local police departments and state fire marshals for firework destruction.
ATF will often seize fireworks if they are stored improperly or if commercial firework companies are found mislabeling fireworks to avoid transportation costs.
Copyright 2015 the Midland Reporter-Telegram