Elections of the European Chimney Sweep Association in Prague
On September 13, 2024, the delegates of the European Federation of Master Chimney Sweeps (ESCHFOE) elected a new president. With Alexis Gula, a German association representative once again leads the European interest group. In 2024, the association also celebrates its 70th anniversary.
From September 11 to 14, 2024, the 34th ESCHFOE Congress took place in Prague, hosted by the Czech Chimney Sweep Association. A delegate assembly, a presidential report, and an accompanying trade exhibition took place. Topics included future activities of the chimney sweep profession in light of climate policy developments in Europe, European requirements for individual room heating appliances, and structural aspects of association work. Representatives from 20 nations participated in the event, during which a new president was elected as part of the regular rotation.
Alexis Gula has been the president of the Federal Association of Chimney Sweeps since 2022, is a seventh-generation chimney sweep, and comes from Baden-Württemberg. He takes over the duties of his predecessor, Oswald Wilhelm, with immediate effect. Oswald Wilhelm served as president of the ESCHFOE for eight years and was also president of the Federal Association of Chimney Sweeps in Germany until 2022. Alexis Gula thanked the delegates for their trust and his predecessor Oswald Wilhelm for his long-standing dedicated service to the European chimney sweep profession. In recognition of his contributions, the delegates elected him as honorary president of the ESCHFOE.
Also re-elected was ESCHFOE Secretary General Torsten Arndt, managing director of the Federal Association of Chimney Sweeps in Germany. There was no election of the vice presidents. The vice presidents Petteri Virranta from Finland and Michael Verderber from Austria remain in office for two more years. Both represent their national associations and, alongside Alexis Gula and Torsten Arndt, are members of the ESCHFOE executive board.
About the ESCHFOE:
The European Federation of Master Chimney Sweeps (ESCHFOE) was founded in 1954 and has been steadily growing since then. Currently, 24 national chimney sweep associations (including the American association as a guest member) are represented in the European interest group. The association maintains contacts with partner associations, political committees, legislators, market partners and interest groups in Europe. The ESCHFOE also participates in the development of standards at national and international levels. The members meet regularly for professional exchange and knowledge transfer in the areas of combustion and ventilation technology, pollution control, energy saving, efficiency and work safety. The aim is, among other things, to establish current technical and safety-relevant standards across Europe and to support companies in implementing the European energy and heating transition. Through regular cross-border dialogue, members also benefit in the area of professional qualifications and the promotion of young talent. The ESCHFOE General Secretariat is based in Sankt Augustin in Germany.