Wichita Police Department
Bomb Squad

History

Bomb disposal in the United States dates back to April of 1941. EOD developed as an outgrowth of the British experience with German ordnance. The British Royal Navy dismantled/recovered the first German magnetic mine on the mudflats at Shoeburyness in 1939. The United States was not yet at war, but we were actively preparing for that eventuality. Embassy personnel and military observers were reporting on the actions of warring nations and as these reports were evaluated by the War Department Intelligence Section, recommendations were made concerning actions that should be taken by the U.S. One area stood out. Delayed-explosion bombs were creating havoc in Europe, taking a heavy toll in lives and industry. It was expected that if the U.S. entered the war, we would experience bombing of our cities and industries. As a result, the need for a bomb disposal program in this country received immediate attention.

The job of "rendering safe" such threats - ensuring that UXO of whatever type, origin, or age is made harmless - falls to an elite group of specialists: Explosive Ordnance Disposal - EOD - Technicians. EOD people are in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and many of the world's military. Only the U.S. EOD forces have the equipment, mobility, and flexibility to tackle the global spectrum of threats - from conventional ordnance to nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons - in all world environments.

Today EOD personnel are easily recognizable by the distinctive badge worn on the uniform. Early bomb disposal soldiers did not have that symbol of excellence. The basic EOD badge was designed in 1956. The basic and Senior EOD Badges were approved by the Department of the Army the following year. The Master EOD Badge was approved by the Army in June 1969. Those badges are now the universal symbol of bomb disposal, worn by all services and copied by several civilian bomb squads and foreign military services.

The EOD community also have their own patron St. Barbara. The legend about how her slayers were destroyed by lightning resulted in her being the patron saint against lightning, fire and sudden death. When black powder was introduced to the western world she also became the patron saint against accidents due to explosions, which is a highly regarded attribute among EOD personnel.