We keep making our living environment a little safer

Explosive remains of WWII brought into view

ECG, Explosive Clearance Group BV, is always making the Netherlands a little safer. Through research, consultancy and explosives detection, they work with other experts to locate and secure explosive remnants of war. Frank Lefering is operational director of ECG and talks passionately about this specialized field. 

ECG's working area is large, such as airports and (former) defense areas, but also around rivers, dikes and new construction projects. Well-known clients include Dijkalliantie Nederbetuwe and Dijkzone Alliantie Arcen in various regions, construction companies Dura Vermeer and Ploegam, as well as Ruimte voor de Rivier. 

"As we all know, the Netherlands was bombed frequently in World War II. We still come across remnants of that every day. We call that OO, explosive remnants of war," Frank explains. "For example, there are still parts of airfields that have not been fully explored. We are also regularly called in prior to construction work to examine the building plot, after which the construction can safely carry out the ground work."

Expanded market

The work consists of six services. Consulting, Preliminary Investigation, Risk Analysis, Detection, Approaching & Securing and Aircraft Salvage. "Our strength lies first and foremost in our people. We have a particularly close, but above all expert team, with which we approach projects. With, for example, three board members from the GWW (civil engineering) sector, who can therefore look on more specifically," Frank points out. "We also always do extensive historical preliminary research, using various domestic and foreign sources. So we have a team of seven people who focus solely on historical preliminary research and risk analysis. That way we avoid unnecessary field research and thus unnecessary costs for clients."  

Tracking and advising

In addition to thorough preliminary investigations, ECG focuses primarily on detection and approach & secure. "After all suspect objects have been approached and secured, transfer to the EOD takes place. Clearance and destruction is always done by the EOD, the explosives clearance service of defense. However, ECG does assist the EOD with the clearance and destruction." After handover, a comprehensive official report of completion (PVvO) is prepared. A PVvO states that, at the time of handover, the risks with respect to OO in the research area have been minimized and that the ground-digging work can be carried out safely.

Expansion

Recently, ECG acquired another explosives detection company: Armaex BV. "This cooperation enables a broader use of knowledge and equipment as well as market expansion. We had been working together for some time, this was a logical step," says Frank. "We complement each other well. They work with depth detection, we with floating equipment. Together we work in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and England, among other countries. And we keep making our living environment a little safer."