History

EFEE was founded in Aachen, Germany on October 20th, 1988, by five countries, Switzerland, Germany, Finland, Netherlands and UK.

Those included in the photo, from the left:

Roller, Helmut | German Demolition Associate – Chairman of the (Demolition Sector) Blasters
Votg-Sasse, Wilfried | Board of the German Blast Association
Groves, Mike | UK
Gizyn, Hans | Switzerland
Fardèl, Didier | Switzerland
Werner, Walter | President of the German Blast Association, initiator of the meeting and first EFEE President
Dell, Christiane | Germany, Secretary of German Blast Association- covered by WW
Peeters, Joepp | Netherlands, later became Secretary of EFEE (in Germany his forename is spelt: Jupp)
Böcking, Karl-Heinz | Germany, Treasurer of German Blast Association
Grünfeld, Henk | Netherlands, President of the Dutch Bl. Association
Ebner, Laszlo | Germany
Broadhurst, Ken | UK, later became the second EFEE President
Fink Konrad | Germany
Becker, Kurt | Germany
Witzgall, Wilhelm | Germany
Vuolio, Raimo | Finland – although not present for this photograph also took part in the foundation of EFEE

The objectives established at the time still remain:

Promotion of standardisation and harmonisation of explosives training in Europe
Promotion of explosives technology in all fields related to this technology
SHE and Security in the field of explosives technology
To foster the image of the profession, as well as good relations and co-operation with related associations
Collaboration on regulations for the transport of explosives by road

Through collaboration with National Associations, it is estimated that EFEE reaches some 80,000 shotfirers and has influence over EU directives.