Bomb Squad Hatches Beeping Easter Eggs for Special Kids

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — Beeping eggs aren’t the typical racket you hear as children scatter to find their Easter treats.

But children with visual impairments need a bit of help to take part in an Easter egg hunt.

And members of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department bomb squad were happy to supply their expertise to help kids who will use their sense of hearing to hunt for goodies.

At a recent bomb squad drill, the members used their skills in electronics to build 48 "beeping" Easter eggs for visually impaired children, said department spokesman Mark Brady. The colorful plastic eggs were built to withstand repeated use and rough handling.

“Whenever I think about the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Bomb Squad I envision our members with nerves of steel, skilled hands, quick thinkers, patience and focused vision to the task at hand. I see the large protective suits, robots and portable X-ray machines being used to render safe a suspicious package,” Brady said. “Our bomb squad is all that and much more, but above all they are compassionate humans that began their careers as firefighters.”

The colorful plastic eggs and components were donated by the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators.

The completed "beeping" eggs were donated to the "Vision Program" in the Prince George's County Public Schools.

»Photos by Teresa Ann Crisman, courtesy of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department.