TROUBLES-ERA B*MB DISPOSAL EXPERT | Taking on Belfast's IRA B*MB-MAKERS | Steve Smith, British Army

The Good Listener Podcast

My guest this week is ex-b*mb disposal man, Steve Smith. Steve worked as a EOD officer in Belfast during the early 80s and worked to rid the city of IRA & Loyalist b*mbs.
Steve gives us his insight into the various types of explosives used throughout the conflict, the differences between IRA & Loyalist b*mb-makers, how it feels to put on the b*mb-suit & approach an explosive device and the effects that such a job can have on one’s mental health.
Steve tells us about the unique challenges of b*mb-disposal in rural settings vs urban, the physical sensation of being caught in a b*mb blast and much more.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee.
Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to [e-mail]
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Putting on the “B*MB SUIT”
03:35 Training
10:00 Psychological aspect
14:20 The Hurt Locker (film) & mental toll of the job
17:00 FIRST EXPLOSIVES DISPOSALS
24:45 B*mb Disposal in RURAL AREAS
27:20 Robots
30:40 TOUGH JOB
35:10 Dealing with trauma from the job
37:25 IRA calling in car-b*mb
44:10 Loyalist b*mbs (better or worse b*mb-makers?)
46:13 TYPES of b*mbs throughout the conflict
55:10 Remote b*mbs & Mercury tilt
59:30 Light-activated explosives
1:00:30 Closest Steve has been to b*mb exploding
1:07:30 Cutting wires