Area personnel take bomb training

FBI Special Agent and Bomb Technician John Hallock, above, ignites a fuse during a demonstration at the City of McCook pistol and rifle range, April 9. (Bruce Baker/McCook Daily Gazette)

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A week before the Boston Marathon bombings, McCook area emergency response and law enforcement personnel got some first-hand experience of what an explosion is like.

They received several hours of classroom instruction Tuesday, April 9, before heading to the City of McCook pistol and rifle range to see firsthand the capabilities of various homemade and military grade explosives. The training was part of a "Improved Explosives and Current Terrorism Trends" workshop coordinated by representatives of the FBI with the assistance of the Nebraska State Patrol bomb squad.

FBI Special Agent and Bomb Technician John Hallock of the Omaha, Nebraska, division instructed the classroom training and led the explosive demonstration at the city range.

One of several live explosions set off at the City of McCook pistol and rifle range by FBI bomb technicians. (Bruce Baker/McCook Daily Gazette)

The demonstration offered attendees not only a rare opportunity to feel the concussion and hear the blast of various types of explosives, but also the ability to hear, smell and see various types of incendiary devices, such as fuses and blasting caps.