The people who risk their lives for us when local terrorists attack just received a small pay raise.

The Des Moines police bomb squad is satisfied with its $9.60 raise every two weeks. The bombers were generally pleased with the overall contract of a 3 percent increase in the base pay for the next three years.

The bomb squad was also pleased because health benefits were not reduced.

This is one occupation where the words “payroll cut” and “downsizing” should never be uttered. Just think what would happen if all the bomb squad officers in America went on strike, and people tried to bomb the White House or the NBA Finals.

Bomb squad members put their lives on the line to protect us from harm. Because of this, many deserve our admiration and respect, not a pay cut or reduction in — of all things — health care benefits.

Like heroes on television, these people are the real thing.

And, if the city needs to cut back on city members pay, the last group to be considered is the local bomb squad.

Des Moines may not have the worst crime rate in the United States, but considering what has happened in cities such as Atlanta and Oklahoma City, it proves anything can happen anywhere.

Although Des Moines gave its bomb squad officers a small pay raise, it needs to remember every year the extraordinary duty the squad members must perform, even if it is needed only once a year.

Sylvester Stallone received a pay raise after his first Rambo movie, and what he does is fake. The least the city can do is give the real heroes a little extra money.