According to Loudoun schools spokesman Wayde Byard, the explosive material was a putty-like blob that requires a special detonator. Byard said that the school department was informed of the material, but were told by the CIA not to disclose what it was.
During the exercise on Thursday, the dog found the material, but apparently some had fallen away from where it was placed and landed deeper within the engine compartment and became wedged between hoses.
“The training materials used in the exercises are incredibly stable and according to the CIA and Loudoun County explosive experts the students on the bus were not in any danger from the training material,” the Sheriff’s Office claimed in a statement.
On Thursday, school officials met with the CIA, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the fire marshal and county administrators. The use of public education assets to train law enforcement in live explosive exercises has been halted until new safety protocols are enacted.
