It’s 8.45am and police have cordoned off a city block in central Christchurch. A suspicious package has been found in a public car park – a large coffee tin wired to a plug and filled with an unknown liquid. Maliciously motivated or a benign prank? No one is taking any chances.
A robot from the Defence Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squadron moves into place and detonates a charge, instantly destroying the suspect container.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Over the past year the EOD Squadron has responded to 139 callouts – 89 explosive ordnance disposal tasks, and a further 50 dealing with Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD).
The EOD Squadron has also been conducting joint exercises with Police, Fire, Airport Security and Customs at the tactical and operational levels. The threat of terrorist groups using chemical, biological, radiological or even nuclear devices to carry out an unconventional attack has become more pronounced.
The Government has taken a proactive approach to such threats. Earlier this year Defence Minister Phil Goff opened a new Defence Force EOD headquarters and training facility at its Trentham base, near Wellington.
It is part of a $22 million investment to enhance the Defence Force’s Improvised Explosive Device Disposal - Chemical, Biological and Radiological (IEDD-CBR) capability.
Vice-Chief of the Defence Force, Rear-Admiral Jack Steer says the new EOD headquarters is a significant step forward for the New Zealand Defence Force: “It brings together into one place our expert operators from across the Navy, Army and Air Force. This new facility allows us to build on the experience of our personnel who have worked on mine clearance and unexploded ordnance disposal around the world.”
Three other conventional EOD units will be located close to the central business districts of our three largest cities - Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
At the opening of the Trentham facility, Defence Minister Goff noted that without this capability our country would be unable to guarantee the level of protection required against terrorism and sabotage, and New Zealand’s ability to host internationally significant events would be limited.
“Clearly, having this type of capability is in New Zealand’s national interest. While we sincerely hope there will never be a day when we need to respond to a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear threat on our own shores – we are nevertheless prepared,” said Mr Goff.
1st NZ Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron
- July 2005 Cabinet approves a domestic Chemical, Biological, Radiological and conventional Explosive (CBRE) explosive ordnance disposal and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (EOD/IEDD) capability
- Cabinet approves funding of $21.7 million for capital procurement and an ongoing annual operating budget
- Government response times dictate that units be located close to the central business districts (CBD) of Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland
- 72 personnel (including 7 civilian positions) to staff the Squadron by 2010
- 90 percent of the equipment identified for the project has been procured at a cost of just under $10 million