Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service
The Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (DEODS) is responsible for detecting, identifying and disposing of explosives, which it does some 2,000 to 2,500 times per year. The explosives in question are conventional explosives and improvised explosive devices, which are located on land as well as underwater, in the Netherlands and abroad.
Tasks
On average, the DEODS removes 25,000 World War II explosives in the Netherlands per year. The service is also called upon if a suspicious package is found on a train, at an airport or in a shopping street. The Coastguard calls in the DEODS if a fishing boat finds a bomb or mine in its nets. When a crashed military aircraft is being salvaged, the DEODS is called in to secure the explosive components of the aircraft.
The DEODS also participates in missions abroad to dispose of any explosives present, in order for own troops to move around safely.