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generally considered moderate. The City of Vero Beach has a <br /> higher vulnerability to this hazard because it is the center of <br /> government and business within the County, and Fellsmere <br /> has a low vulnerability due to its location and small population <br /> size. Basically, Indian River County's vulnerability to this <br /> hazard is no greater or less than most other Florida coastal <br /> counties. <br /> Risk Assessment. Historic Events. Due to the low <br /> probability of occurrence, this hazard will not be fully profiled. <br /> g. Military Ordnance from WWII— Hazard Identification. <br /> Unexploded military ordnance is a hazard unique to Indian <br /> River County. The military used the Fort Pierce Naval <br /> Amphibious Training Base, an area of about 19,000 acres <br /> between Vero Beach and Jensen Beach, during World War II <br /> for amphibious training and to develop and test procedures for <br /> breaching and removing beach fortifications expected to be <br /> encountered in Europe and Japan. A variety of ordnance was <br /> tested against these fortifications. Training at the base <br /> included testing of bombs, rockets, and mines. Several <br /> explosive devices left over from these training missions have <br /> been found along the shores of Vero Beach and Ft. Pierce. <br /> Public exposure to unexploded ordnance could occur primarily <br /> as a result of three types of activities: earth moving (building <br /> construction, pool construction, and major landscaping), <br /> recreational diving, and use of beach areas. Unexploded <br /> ordnance also may wash ashore or be exposed after storms <br /> (Indian River County Department of Emergency Services, <br /> 2002). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers(Jacksonville office) <br /> with the full cooperation of Indian River County Department of <br /> Emergency Management, is responsible for coordinating the <br /> disposal of any found items with the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast <br /> Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and <br /> Indian River County. <br /> The most recent finding, in January, 2014, was during an <br /> offshore removal action conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of <br /> Engineers (Corps) in Indian River County, south of Vero <br /> Beach, to address debris associated with past military activities <br /> in the area. Contractors discovered two suspected bombs in <br /> approximately 11 feet of water. An explosives and ordnance <br /> disposal unit from the Mayport Naval Station excavated the <br /> items and towed them approximately one mile offshore for <br /> Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 71 <br />