What is the responsibility of an MWD for a suspicious package?

• A. Search the area for secondary explosives and provide a safe route for EOD to the package.
• B. Detain all individuals near the package.
• C. Dig for more packages nearby.
• D. Ignore the package unless told otherwise.

Answer: (A)

In a suspicious package scenario, the MWD’s role is to detect explosive signatures and support incident response by securing the area and guiding responders. The best action is to search the surrounding area for any secondary explosives and establish a safe route for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team to reach and render the device safe. This aligns with the dog’s training to identify explosives and help create a controlled, safe access path for specialists. Detaining individuals, digging for more packages, or ignoring the package don’t fit the MWD mission and can increase risk or delay safe resolution. By locating potential secondary devices and providing a clear, safe route for EOD, the team can manage the threat with reduced exposure to personnel.