French firefighters demand massive hiring, more resources, better conditions

Nine French professional firefighters' unions met with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez on Thursday, demanding "massive hiring," increased resources for fighting fires amid a record season, and improved social and professional conditions. The unions reported "very, very disappointed" with the outcome of the meeting, stating they received no concrete answers regarding funding or a planned civil protection bill.

Xavier Boy, spokesperson for the inter-union group, warned that symbolic strike action taken on Thursday would escalate to "intensive mobilization" and a protest in Paris on September 29 if their demands are not addressed. A key demand is the addition of 21,000 new firefighters to the current force of 44,000 professionals, supplemented by 13,000 military firefighters and 200,000 volunteers.

The unions pointed to the current year's record of at least 120,000 hectares of burned forest, including a massive fire in July that consumed 42,000 hectares and led to the evacuation of over 220,000 people. They argued that firefighters cannot indefinitely compensate for a system "at saturation."

Beyond staffing, the unions called for a budget to guarantee the "protection and health" of professionals, noting four deaths and over 300 injuries among their ranks this season. They also seek negotiations on working conditions, unchanged for over 14 years, and improved pension rules. "French citizens have the right to civil protection worthy of this country's power," Boy stated, emphasizing that future judgment will be based on "results, actions, not intentions."