Proposal Seeks To Make Indian Head National Training Hub For Bomb, Hazmat Response

LA PLATA, Md. — The Charles County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, to support a federal funding request that could position Indian Head as a national hub for bomb technician and hazardous materials training.

The proposal, presented by the United States Bomb Technician Association (USBTA), seeks $950,000 in congressional directed spending through the U.S. Department of Justice Byrne Grant program. The funding is part of a $1.2 million initiative focused on Bomb Technician and HazMat training and response exercises.

If approved, the project would establish what officials describe as a first-of-its-kind partnership in Maryland between the state’s first responder community, the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center and USBTA to conduct multi-jurisdictional explosive ordnance disposal and hazardous materials training.

Focus On Critical Infrastructure And Public Safety

Officials said the program is designed to enhance preparedness for threats involving critical infrastructure and areas where large numbers of people gather, including stadiums, concert venues and major public events.

“Due to the increased threats, especially regarding critical infrastructure throughout all the country, we are working closely with our first responders within Maryland on this project,” said Sean Dennis, chief executive officer of the United States Bomb Technician Association.

He said the exercises would simulate real-world emergency scenarios involving explosives and hazardous materials, bringing together law enforcement, fire and rescue, hazmat teams and federal partners across the state.

“We are working closely with our first responders within Maryland on this project,” Dennis said. He said the collaboration includes law enforcement, fire and rescue, hazardous materials teams and intelligence partners to build a coordinated and standardized training model that prepares agencies to respond together during high-risk incidents.

Indian Head Identified As Strategic Location

Officials said Indian Head was identified as a strong candidate for the program based on its existing partnerships with federal, military and public safety agencies and the region’s expertise in explosives and hazardous materials response.

The initiative would establish Maryland’s first hazardous materials training program designed specifically for newly assigned bomb technicians.

Dennis said the goal is to make Indian Head the central location for this type of training nationwide, bringing first responders from across the country to Southern Maryland while strengthening both national preparedness and the local economy.

“Right now, this kind of training is done pretty sporadically all around the country,” Dennis said. “Nobody has a true format and nobody has true set processes.”

He said the proposed initiative would create a standardized and centralized model, bringing agencies from across the country to Charles County.

“We’ve established that and in partnership with the FBI and our military partners, we’ve actually brought all that together,” Dennis said. “We can leverage our facility to do just that.”

If funding is secured, officials said Indian Head could become a national “go-to” destination where bomb technicians and hazardous materials teams from across the United States travel for advanced training, exercises and certifications. County leaders said the effort is expected to strengthen public safety, improve interagency coordination and support homeland security efforts.

The Charles County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the letter of support, which will be submitted to Maryland’s congressional delegation for consideration as part of the federal funding process.

The United States Bomb Technician Association is headquartered at 4450 Indian Head Highway, Indian Head, MD 20640, and conducts training, technology exercises and preparedness programs throughout the year in partnership with federal, state and local public safety agencies. Visit usbta.us to learn more.

Watch the Feb. 24 meeting on CCGTV.
See the draft Letter of Support below.

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