In 1983, the City of Anderson organized a bomb disposal unit, comprised of police officers and fire fighters. Bob Eidson, then a Patrol Division Sergeant and the City's only Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician, formulated a course of training. After unit members completed the course, the City had its first bomb disposal unit. Since then, additional officers have been trained as bomb disposal technicians at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
In 1998, the City's bomb disposal unit was one of the first in South Carolina to be accredited by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a fully operational bomb response unit. With support from Homeland Security as well as Corporate grants, the bomb disposal has obtained a variety of equipment. This equipment allows the unit to respond more effectively and mitigate any hazard they encounter. The unit is equipped with the following:
The unit has responded to hundreds of calls for service and has been called upon by virtually every county in upstate South Carolina and Northeast Georgia. The City's bomb disposal unit provides bomb protection for area sporting events, concerts, and other events. Assisting all county, state, and federal agencies, the City's bomb disposal unit is one of the few fully accredited bomb squads in South Carolina.
Mission Statement
The Bomb Disposal Unit will render safe and/or remove suspected improvised explosive devices, incendiary devices, explosives, explosive chemicals (as currently defined by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) pyrotechnics and ammunition.
The Bomb Disposal Unit provides for legal, proper and safe transportation, disposal and/or storage of explosives and other referred to above.
The Bomb Disposal Unit assists post blast crime scene investigations, collects and preserves evidence, and provides technical support to special operations.
Request for mutual aid to agencies outside this jurisdiction will be authorized by the department head through formal mutual aid agreements with bona fide law enforcement, fire department or federal agencies
For further information our inquiries please contact the bomb squad point of contact, Sgt. Danny Owens/Bomb Squad Commander, dowens@cityofandersonsc.com, 864-231-2277, or Randall Williams, rwilliams@cityofandersonsc.com, 864-332-5703.
If you have an emergency, always dial 911