Disarming manner as ‘diligent’ Mick puts life on the line

HE’S the faceless man, the quiet achiever who helps defuse bombs, risking his life in the line of duty.

HE’S the faceless man who helps defuse bombs, risking his life in the line of duty.

For more than 15 years, Acting Senior Sergeant Mick Gardiner has served in the bomb squad, maintaining incredible mental focus during precarious ­incidents.

He co-ordinated the bomb clearance of a house in Clay St, West Ipswich, last year.

“The challenge of any homemade explosives incident is … they can be very unpredictable,” the 45-year-old said.

DANGERS: Bombs detonated in Ipswich

His “diligence” under pressure has seen him nominated for a Pride of Australia award.

“His name remains unknown and his work is unseen by the greater public, however he potentially risks his life every day working for the people of Queensland,” the nominator wrote.

“This commitment to us is an inspiration.”

Sen-Sgt Gardiner has seen all manner of incidents.

He graduated from the police academy in 1990 and served as a general duties policeman.

However, in 1994, he was shot in the upper thigh during a training exercise at Greenbank military range.

“There was an accident on the range and a female died. The bullet passed through her and struck me in the right leg,” he said.

Suffering a major gunshot wound and deep vein thrombosis, his recovery took six months. He was left with a 25 per cent permanent disability to his right leg.

In 1998, he undertook a technician’s course before eventually moving into the bomb squad.

He said the sieges haven’t changed over the years – but the “response equipment they are supplied with” has.

“I’ve been to all the major incidents – the Grand Apartments siege on the Gold Coast; the home of school teacher John Amundsen; the device in the vehicle outside Toowoomba hospital,” he said.

“The bomb squad is always involved in any major event, to ensure the safety of the general public,” he said. “My family normally find out about it after, which is good … I would hate them to be sitting at home worrying.”

Pride of Australia nominations have been extended to August 3. Do you know a local legend? Nominate them now by clicking on this link.

Acting Senior Sergeant Mick Gardiner risks his life on the job regularly.