Springfield FBI sets off homemade explosives as part of a workshop for law enforcement, other agencies

The Springfield FBI set off several homemade explosives Wednesday as part of a workshop making sure law enforcement, first responders and others are aware of the chemicals used to make them.

“We teach them a classroom portion on the dangers of mixing chemicals,” Rick Box, the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) coordinator for the Springfield FBI, said. “Then we bring them out to the range, we mix the chemicals together and show them what they can do.” Box said showing what actually happens when the devices explode can be a much bigger benefit than a class alone.