IMAS IEDD Level 3 Course
Although IEDs are among the world’s oldest types of weapons, the increased use of IEDs as a weapon of choice by non-state armed groups has been a clear trend in recent years. Consequently, the mine action sector is increasingly being called upon to address the humanitarian impact of the widespread use of IEDs in recent conflicts.
The IMAS IEDD Level 3 (IEDD Operator) Course meets the criteria laid down in the recent IMAS 09.31 (IEDD) standard and has been designed for those who are IMAS EOD Level 3 as a minimum or equivalent, and have already completed the IMAS IEDD L1 (IEDD Searcher) and IEDD L2 (IEDD Assistant) courses, or who hold equivalent military or law enforcement Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) qualifications. Building on the skills of a Level 1 and 2 (IEDD) qualification, the four-week course qualifies successful candidates to conduct render-safe procedures and final disposal of IEDs in a permissive environment and gives those wanting to step up to a higher level the ability to enhance both their skill set and their employability on both national-security and humanitarian IEDD contracts.
Included in the syllabus
Mine action organisations may be called upon to conduct IEDD activities within any context and therefore need to be mindful of the requirements associated with the specific task or operation being conducted. The layout and complexity of the operating context has a significant bearing on the skillsets required to safely carry out IEDD as part of a larger mine action intervention.
Traditionally the guidance provided in International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) has reflected the fact that mine action activities have focused mainly on mitigating the risks posed by explosive ordnance (EO) produced and assembled to formally specified set of manufacturing standards. This course – comprising the following core competencies, has been developed in order to meet the criteria laid down in the recent IMAS 09.31 (IEDD) which complements the existing EOD guidance for mine action operations.
The following (IMAS 09:31) IEDD specialist competency standards build upon those already learned at IMAS L1 and L2 IEDD, in the core syllabus:
- Theory & Knowledge: Electrical theory; standard operating procedure (SOP) framework and referring up; IEDD principles and philosophy; threat assessment; IED makeup & types (including time; command; victim operated and hybrid IEDs); explosives theory; demolition procedures; IED disruption techniques (including conventional and improvised water disruptors); search techniques and safe access; secondary and tertiary devices; transportation of explosive ordnance (EO); survey techniques; task conduct.
- Equipment Skills: Demolition explosives & accessories; hook & line; semi-remote disruptors and cutters; use of detectors; preparation of metal detectors and GPR; weapon preparation; cameras & GPS; personal protective equipment (PPE); maintenance; mechanical techniques.
- Practical IEDD Skills: Render safe procedure (RSP) formulation & planning; danger areas & task geography; question technique; weapon placement; application of SOPs; explosive ordnance reconnaissance (EOR); search skills; vehicles; final demolition; armoured fighting vehicles (AFV); AFV clearance; awareness of the threat environment.
- Reporting & Data: IMSMA terminology; reporting requirements; reporting; post-blast analysis; mobile apps; lessons learned; technical analysis; global IED threats and theatre-specific device history.
- Management & Leadership: Liaison and provision of IEDD advice; equipment management; managing operational pressure; team management; continuation training; legal framework; task management & planning.
- Deployment & Post Task: Route planning & incident control point (ICP) drills; pre-task actions; en-route actions; post-task actions; remediation.
Confirmatory Exercises, Assessments & Formal Tests
- IED philosophy, principles and procedure knowledge.
- Questioning techniques and threat assessment.
- HIED-D task conduct during clearance of time, command, victim operated and hybrid IEDs.
- Use of remote operated vehicles, drones and disruptors.
- Safe excavation and semi-remote pulling procedures as an individual and member of a team.
- Manual IEDD Render Safe Procedures