Tips, links and information on what to do when explosive ordnance is found

As a metal detectorist, you will eventually come across ordnance or unexploded munitions. These can be regular rifle or machine gun ammunition, but also grenades. Here is a short guide on how to act when you find such ordnance. The responsible authorities and EOD services are also listed here.

Act correctly immediately:

1. Stop immediately and keep your distance. Do not touch or move.
2. Secure the area: Warn others and keep them away, including children and animals.
3. Increase distance. Keep several dozen meters away, depending on the size. Do not approach.
4. Note or mark the location from a safe distance. Use visible landmarks or GPS coordinates.
5. Take a photo from a safe distance. Do not get closer or cast a shadow on the object.
6. Call the emergency number (in Germany: 112 / Police 110) and report the find. Provide the exact location.
7. Stay calm and wait for the instructions of the emergency services. Do not return.
8. No unauthorized attempts. Transporting, covering, smashing or digging up is life-threatening.

Important in Germany: The police, fire department and the explosive ordnance disposal service of the federal state are responsible. They take care of everything else.

Here is a compact overview of the state explosives ordnance disposal/removal services by federal state  (If there is acute danger, always call 110.)

• Baden-Württemberg – Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart) · Tel. 0711 904-40000 (alternatively -40029)
• Bavaria– State EOD, carried out by demolition squads
•   Demolition Squad Munich (Upper Bavaria/Lower Bavaria/parts of Swabia): 089 3116058
•   Demolition Squad Nuremberg (Upper Palatinate/Franconia/parts of Upper Bavaria/Swabia): 09128 2200
• Berlin – Berlin Police, Investigation & Recovery of Ordnance · Tel. 030 90254-7143 
• Brandenburg – Central Police Service, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (EODS) · Tel. 033702 214-0
• Bremen – Bremen Police, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service · Tel. 0421 362-12281 / -12232 
• Hamburg – Hamburg Fire Department, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (EODS) · Tel. 040 42851-5419
• Hesse– Darmstadt Regional Council, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (Dept. I 18) · Tel. 06151 12-6509 / -6511 
• Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania – State Office for Central Police Tasks and Technology, Fire & Disaster Protection (Dept. 320 Munitions Recovery Service) · Tel. 0385 2070-2830 / -2831 
• Lower Saxony – LGLN – Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service · Emergency phone (24/7): 0511 30245-500 (office: -502/-503) 
• North Rhine-Westphalia – State EOD at the district governments
•   Düsseldorf (Rhineland): Website & contact (explosive ordnance disposal) 
•   Arnsberg** (Westphalia-Lippe): EOD-WL (head office in Hagen) · Website: bra.nrw (EOD-WL)   (Central numbers are provided via the pages.)
• Rhineland-Palatinate – Supervisory and Service Directorate (ADD), Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service · E-Mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) · Website: add.rlp.de (EODS) – official phone number not published online; frequently used technical contact according to specialist advice: +49 171 8249305
• Saarland – State Police Headquarters, EOD (LPP 125) · Tel. 0681 962-1790 · E-Mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) · Website/service portal: saarland.de kampfmittelbeseitigung.org
• Saxony – Police Administration Office, Department 15 – Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service · Central office: 0351 8501-0 
• Saxony-Anhalt – Technical Police Office Saxony-Anhalt, Dept. 15 Explosive Ordnance Disposal ·  0391 5075-116 
• Schleswig-Holstein – State Office of Criminal Investigation SH, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service · Tel. 04340 4049-3 
• Thuringia – (State organizes the information/clearing under state law; points of contact)
•    Information and Documentation Office Explosive Ordnance Disposal (InfoDok)** – information office · Website: infodok-kampfmittelraeumung.de
•    Thuringian State Administration Office – Fire & Disaster Protection** · Tel. 0361 3773-7955

Note: In several states, notifications and coordination of operations are carried out via central control centers/police or the responsible district governments; some authorities mainly provide e-mail/service portals rather than direct numbers. If in doubt, use the linked pages or the police emergency number 110 (danger imminent).

Sources:
[1]: https://rp.baden-wuerttemberg.de/themen/sicherheit/kampfmittel/ "Ordnance Disposal in Baden-Württemberg"
[2]: https://www.gesetze-bayern.de/Content/Document/BayVwV238759/ "Defense against dangers from ordnance - Citizen Service"
[3]: https://www.berlin.de/sen/uvk/mobilitaet-und-verkehr/dienste-und-genehmigungen/ermittlung-bergung-von-kampfmitteln/ "Investigation and recovery of ordnance"
[4]: https://polizei.brandenburg.de/standorte_und_erreichbarkeiten/id/66814 "ZDPol, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service"
[5]: https://www.polizei.bremen.de/detail.php?search%5Bsend%5D=true&search%5Bvt%5D=niedersachsendamm&template=20_search_d "Search result for niedersachsendamm"
[6]: https://www.feuerwehr.hamburg/krd-815362m "EODS"
[7]: https://rp-darmstadt.hessen.de/sicherheit-und-kommunales/gefahrenabwehr/kampfmittelraeumdienst/erreichbarkeit?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Accessibility | rp-darmstadt.hessen.de"
[8]: https://www.polizei.mvnet.de/Polizei/LPBK-MV/Brand%E2%80%93-und-Katastrophenschutz%2C-Munitionsbergung/ " Fire and disaster protection, munition recovery"
[9]: https://lgln-kbd.niedersachsen.de/startseite/wir_uber_uns_termine_veranstaltungen/kontakt/kontakt-211150.html "Contact | LGLN Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service"
[10]: https://www.brd.nrw.de/themen/ordnung-sicherheit/kampfmittelbeseitigung "Ordnance Disposal | District Government Düsseldorf"
[11]: https://www.bra.nrw.de/recht-ordnung/gefahrenabwehr/kampfmittelbeseitigungsdienst-westfalen-lippe-kbd-wl "Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service Westfalen-Lippe (EOD-WL)"
[12]: https://add.rlp.de/themen/kommunales-und-sicherheit/kampfmittelraeumdienst "Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service . Supervisory and Service Directorate"
[13]: https://kampfmittelbeseitigung.org/antrag%20auf%20kampfmittelfreiheitsbescheinigung/kampfmittelbeseitigungsdienst%20saarland.html "Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service Saarland"
[14]: https://www.polizei.sachsen.de/de/uebersichtskarten_pva.htm "Locations of the PVA - Police Saxony"
[15]: https://wiwa-kampfmittelbergung.de/kampfmittelraeumdienst-adressen-deutschland/ "Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service addresses Germany"
[16]: https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/landesregierung/ministerien-behoerden/POLIZEI/DasSindWir/LKA/Kampfmittelraeumdienst/kampfmittelraeumdienst "State Police Office - LKA - The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service"
[17]: https://infodok-kampfmittelraeumung.de/ "Information and Documentation Office Explosive Ordnance Disposal"