The State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany presents scenarios as realistic as possible, without the actual threat. 

That’s why law enforcement members like Alvin Harrington, who is with the Syracuse Police Bomb Squad, are grateful to train there.

“This training facility is, look around, they put a lot of time and effort into this place,” Harrington said.

It’s part of Raven’s Challenge, the world’s largest training event for bomb squads. The event is held in four locations across the country each year.

This week it’s in Oriskany.

“This training is outstanding because we get to work with other teams. Even if we’re not training, we’re out talking to each other. We all stay in the same area, so we’re going out, having dinner together and picking each other’s brains,” said Harrington.

One of the training exercises involved is what to do when bombs are planted in ATMs. ATF members said there was a spike of this activity in 2020 with more than 150 incidents.

“Due to the actions of law enforcement, that number has dropped back down in 2021 and 2022 to previous trends,” said ATF Supervisory Special Agent Matt Nollau.

The drop is good news, but law enforcement members want to be prepared for other scenarios too, like bombs attached to drones.

“Within the bounds of this exercise, we develop, design and build training aids for the bomb technicians to be able to come out and prosecute and interrogate, just like they would with any other explosive device, because that’s what this is,” said Patrick McCrone, a U.S. Army CSISR Center technical lead.

It’s a dangerous line-of-work, and it’s constantly changing, but for some, that’s what keeps them motivated.

“I like the challenge,” Harrington said.

This is the fourth time in seven years that the State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany, operated by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, has been selected for this event.

Bomb technicians remind people that if you see something suspicious you should report it.