French firefighter unions are calling for a nationwide protest next month, accusing the government of insufficient support during an unprecedentedly hot summer. “We demand the necessary resources to protect French citizens”, said Xavier Boa, spokesman for several firefighter unions. The strike will take place on September 29. Firefighters are allowed to strike, but they are required to maintain a minimum staff to respond to emergencies.
Among the unions’ most pressing demands are legislation to “modernize” France’s civil security system, a “massive” recruitment of professional firefighters, and increased funding to ensure the health and safety of firefighters. Boa also called for “investments commensurate with the risks France faces today and will face tomorrow”, noting that Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world.
Meeting with the minister and government plans
On Thursday, Xavier Boa and other firefighter representatives, who held a smaller strike that day, met with France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to discuss their concerns. They said they were left unsatisfied and disappointed, accusing the minister of avoiding specific answers and engaging in “political chatter”.
Nuñez later told journalists that a bill to improve civil security would be presented to the unions on September 8. The minister noted that the resources allocated to firefighters would “change” in next year’s budget but refused to guarantee a specific increase in funding. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also tasked seven parliamentarians with preparing a report on how to improve France’s firefighting system and asked them to submit political proposals by September 21.
Dependence on volunteers and summer challenges
France’s current firefighting system relies heavily on volunteers. As of 2024, slightly less than 80 percent of the country’s firefighters were volunteers, while less than 20 percent, mainly in urban areas, were professional firefighters. Most professional firefighters work in large urban areas such as Paris.
This summer, firefighters faced massive fires, exacerbated by heat and drought linked to climate change. These fires are expected to cost taxpayers billions of euros. Xavier Boa said that firefighters battling a forest fire near Bordeaux, one of the most serious in France’s recent history, were inadequately equipped. “Everything was lacking — personnel, equipment, and resources to fight forest fires… especially proper advance preparation”, he said.
Source: Politico
