Fire brigades reduced in 12 EU countries in 2023. ETUC: “Irresponsible”

Brussels – The European Union is burning more and more, with Mediterranean countries suffering far more than others from the fury of wildfires. Yet, the number of firefighters is shrinking where they are needed most. The numbers released by Eurostat fuel debate and controversy over political choices. On the one hand, the general figure speaks of a general increase in personnel. The European Statistical Office points out that, in 2023, there were 362,400 professional firefighters in the EU, accounting for 0.18 per cent of total employment with an increase of 3,200 units compared to 2022.

At the same time, however, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) cannot help but note how “this headline figure reveals concerning cuts in firefighting services in 12 member states” of the European Union. A worrying element considering that—ETUC continues—the group of governments that have opted for cuts in firefighting forces “includes countries that suffered huge forest fires in 2023, such as Greece, Italy, and Cyprus.” Moreover, the reduction in firefighting personnel came in the second warmest year ever recorded in European history.

ETUC engages in a transparency operation showing how Italy has cut more than anyone else, in absolute terms, the total number of firefighters. In addition, it points out that the number of firefighters has been reduced for the second year in a row in Germany, Hungary, Romania, and Sweden. “Reducing the number of firefighters at a time when the climate crisis is increasing the risk of wildfires is not what is needed and is irresponsible,” attacks ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch. “These cuts jeopardize the safety of people, our environment, and the remaining firefighters who would now have to deal with more frequent and severe fires with fewer resources and less rest.”

The trade unionist takes the opportunity to criticize the EU for its budget and public accounts policies. The general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation points her finger at the decision to open the Excessive deficit procedure for a quarter of member states (Italy, Belgium, France, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary), a decision that Lynch says “risks pushing them toward new spending cuts.” Conversely, she argues, “the EU should invest in a just transition to a green economy, which would ensure that we address climate change while creating quality jobs and adequately funding our public services.”