By Fang Zepeng, Sun Xiao, and Yang Yingxue

Zhang Baoguo in anti-explosion coverall.

Zhang Baoguo is deputy head of the SWAT team and head of the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) squadron of Ji'nan Public Security Bureau, Shandong Province. Born in September 1964, he was admitted by the former PLA Ordnance Engineering College in September 1984 and worked in an ammunition repair station affiliated to the former Ji'nan Military Area after graduation.

In 1999, Zhang was demobilized from the military and assigned to work at Ji'nan Public Security Bureau. Having worked on the frontline of explosive disposal all his life, Zhang has been honored as Excellent People's Policeman and Best (Most Admirable) Retired Servicemember in China.

After leaving the military, Zhang Baoguo has engaged in explosive disposal in the public security domain for 24 years, handling explosive-related cases more than 130 times and making himself a true "bomb sweeper". His hands are rough and strong with striking scars, and his right little finger is unable to straighten.

After graduating from the military college in 1988, Zhang successively worked in the ammunition repair station and ammunition inspection station affiliated to the former Ji'nan Military Area. In the mid-1990s, the life and property safety of Ji'nan residents were seriously threatened by lots of ordnance buried underground for decades since the war years. During this period, Zhang was invited to assist in disposing of underground explosives many times.

Zhang Baoguo (first left) works in the military. (Photo from Zhang Baoguo)

At the end of 1998, leaders of Ji'nan Public Security Bureau invited Zhang to join them and help dispose of explosives. Zhang was a bit torn. As the youngest engineer in his unit, he was on course to great success in the military, a place he has already dreamed of. However, as he participated in more missions in cooperation with the local police, he came to realize their serious shortage of explosive-disposing professionals and that he could make a great difference in that regard.

On September 1, 1999, Zhang Baoguo left the military and became the only professional explosive-disposing policeman in Ji'nan Public Security Bureau. In 2002, an EOD squadron was formed in the bureau with Zhang being the head.

Zhang Baoguo: With the formation of the EOD squadron, I had four colleagues. Later the Bureau equipped us with EOD vehicles, suits and some basic tools. We gradually got on the path of standardized development, from equipment to staff.

Zhang Baoguo studies explosive devices. (Photo from Zhang Baoguo)

As his team grew, the scope of their work expanded to include the search and removal of explosives, destruction of hazardous explosives, anti-explosive security check for major activities, and many others. Zhang taught his colleagues who just joined the team very carefully, and set up a studio to share his experience and expertise without reserve.

Zhang Baoguo: I told them that I'm the team leader, and I've been a Party member for the longest time in the team, so they can be assured that I'd always step up when there is danger, and I would never put them up unless injury or death pulls me down.

On March 2, 2005, at a site in the western suburb of Ji'nan where old shells and explosives were destroyed, a smoke pot suddenly leaked and caught fire. Out of instinct, Zhang Baoguo pushed aside his colleague and rushed to kick the smoke pot away. At the exact moment, the explosives exploded and burst out a fireball that instantly wrapped Zhang up.

The accident burned up 8% of Zhang's skin, with second-degree burns on the face and deep second-degree  burns on the hands. The skin and dermis of both hands were burned, resulting in nerve damage and fingers unable to straighten fully or bend freely. He could never forget the days when he was being treated in hospital.

Zhang Baoguo: It was so painful that I began raving, and I only felt a little better when pressed my head hard against the wall. There were thick scars on my face, my lips were stuck together, my eyes couldn't open either, and a tube was stuck into my mouth. I had nothing but porridge, chicken soup and milk for over 20 days. The pain from fire burns was unbearable.

In order to get back to work, to the position that he loved, Zhang Baoguo went through excruciating skin grafting operations and the rehabilitation process. The two operations of extensive skin grafting left two 50cm-long scars on him. After the accident, Zhang only stayed in hospital for less than two months from March 2 to April 29. On the third day after he was discharged, suspected explosives were found in a hospital in Ji'nan. Learning about this, Zhang, with his hands still in bandage, once again stood on the forefront.

Zhang Baoguo: I told my colleagues to pick me up immediately. They drove to my home; I had my hands hung in the front and covered with a sunhat. I had to cover the place with a hat, because it pained as being pricked if the fresh meat growing from the burned area exposed to sunlight. Then we went to the site together.

Despite wounds and pains, Zhang Baoguo remains committed to his ideal without regret. (Photo from Zhang Baoguo)

For explosive-disposing policemen, every mission is a race against death. At about 9:00 pm on January 2, 2014, Zhang Baoguo was ordered to dispose of a suspected explosive at a logistics center. After arriving at the site, he spent an hour checking the device, then cut the key wire, and cleared the site. Seeing the "23:00" on the timer, he couldn't help but feel a chill - he only beat the explosive by nine minutes.

Zhang Baoguo: We never balk, no matter how dangerous the task is. I've been doing this for many years. This is an important job, and it is our duty to save others' lives at the price of my own. Death and wounds are part of the job. They cannot scare us. We will continue to hold the position.

Zhang Baoguo disposes of an explosive. (Photo from Zhang Baoguo)