
Bombing Prevention
Overview
One of CISA’s greatest responsibilities is providing for the safety and security of our citizens, allies, and partners while providing an economic environment that promotes opportunity and prosperity. The use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) threatens these interests by killing, injuring, and intimidating citizens and political leaders around the world, inflicting damage on U.S. forces on the battlefield, and disrupting transportation and the flow of commerce. The terrorists and criminals responsible for these attacks are resilient, technologically adept, and adaptable. They employ the most recent and successful tactics, techniques, and procedures gained from experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world. The use of IEDs worldwide has increased in recent years, with the number of attacks exceeding 7,000 in 2021.
IEDs remain one of the most accessible weapons available to terrorists and criminals to damage critical infrastructure and inflict casualties. The tactics used in IED attacks continue to evolve as our adversaries seek to overcome countermeasures. We must continue to challenge ourselves and each other to be more effective against these threats as we work together to reach our shared national interests of safety, security, and prosperity. The threat from IED use will continue to evolve in response to our abilities to counter them. A whole-of-government approach that incorporates the lessons learned from the state, local, tribal, territorial, private sector, and international community in Counter-IED (C-IED) activities will best position the US to discover plots to use IEDs in the US or against US persons abroad before those threats become imminent.
CISA’s Role
To reduce risk to the nation’s critical infrastructure, the Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) employs several programs and develops and delivers a diverse curriculum of training and awareness products to build nationwide C-IED core capabilities and to enhance awareness of terrorist threats. CISA’s OBP seeks to enhance the nation’s ability to prevent, protect against, respond to, and mitigate the use of explosives against critical infrastructure, the private sector, and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities.
Coordinated through state homeland security officials and training offices, OBP courses educate on strategies to prevent, protect against, respond to, and mitigate bombing incidents. Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial participants include municipal officials and emergency managers, state and local law enforcement and other emergency services, critical infrastructure owners and operators, security staff, and public and private sector partners.
Featured Content
Security and Resiliency Guide (SRG)
The Security and Resiliency Guide and Annexes are intended to assist stakeholders to plan and implement C-IED activities within their overall public safety and emergency management approach.
Technical Resource for Incident Prevention (TRIPwire) Portal
TRIPwire is the Department of Homeland Security's collaborative information-sharing and resource portal.
What to Do - Bomb Threat
The guidance and resources on this page outline in-depth procedures for either bomb threats or suspicious items and will help you prepare and react appropriately during these events.
Technical Assistance
Technical Assistance is the access point for bombing prevention suite of training, tools, products, services and resources.
Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program (BMAP)
Operation Flashpoint Program
Explosive Blast Modeling (EBM) Program
Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Capabilities Assessments (CCA) Program
Training
Bombing prevention training is available through multiple platforms: direct delivery in-person in a classroom or in-residence at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP), online through a Virtual Instructor-led Training (VILT) platform, and through Independent Study Training (IST).

Bomb Threat Assessment for Decision Makers Course (AWR-945)
Bombing Prevention Awareness Course (AWR-348)
Surveillance Detection for Bombing Prevention Course (PER-346)

Bomb Threat Preparedness and Response Course (AWR-903)
Resources
Bombing prevention products/resources—including cards, posters, checklists, guides, videos, briefings, and applications—provide C-IED awareness information to prevent, protect against, respond to, and mitigate bombing incidents.

Technical Resource for Incident Prevention (TRIPwire) Portal
Security and Resiliency Guide (SRG) and Annexes
DHS-DOJ Bomb Threat Guidance Quad-Fold

DHS Bomb Threat Checklist
Contact
To report suspicious activity, call 9-1-1 or contact local law enforcement.
Please contact your local Protective Security Advisor (PSA) or send an email to the Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) at OBP@cisa.dhs.gov for additional information about OBP products and programs, or to schedule a training session or a planning workshop.
Informed, alert communities play a critical role in keeping our nation safe. Everyone has a responsibility to protect our nation—"If You See Something, Say SomethingTM."