A coalition of nine trade unions representing professional firefighters (SPP) and administrative, technical and specialist staff (PATS) has called for a one-day strike on Thursday 13 August. The aim is to highlight the lack of resources and staffing levels at the height of the summer season, which has seen a surge in forest fires in France.
A move prompted by "major difficulties"
In a statement issued on 7 August, the trade unions spoke of “legitimate anger” and “widespread frustration” in the face of working conditions deemed untenable. Among the issues raised was a chronic staff shortages and a a glaring lack of material resources, whilst the number of fire service call-outs is reaching record levels – nearly four million in 2025, a figure that is constantly rising.
Professional firefighters point in particular to the lack of equipment to deal with new climate-related challenges. “We have indeed received new vehicles, but this has not increased our capacity: the new vehicles have simply replaced the old ones,” explains a trade union representative to franceinfo. They are calling for equipment suited to more severe incidents, such as mega-fires, as well as an increase in staffing levels.
Three key demands
The inter-union group has set out three main demands:
- A sustainable, fair and ambitious funding for the departmental fire and rescue services (SDIS);
- A large-scale recruitment of permanent staff professional firefighters and PATS;
- A a genuine national priority a greater focus on staff health and safety, including the recognition of occupational diseases (such as certain cancers) and improved medical care.
The trade unions are insisting on the need for a concrete response, rejecting yet another “Beauvau de la sécurité civile” that would ignore the realities on the ground. “We do not want political division. National unity must prevail,” emphasises a spokesperson.
A crucial meeting with the Home Secretary
The nine trade union organisations were received on Thursday 13 August by the Minister for the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, at Place Beauvau. This meeting, held at 12 noon, was followed by a press conference at 2 pm to report on the discussions. Prior to this, the Minister of State, Jean-Didier Berger, had praised the “exceptional civil security conditions” in France on RMC, whilst acknowledging the need for “ongoing dialogue” with the trade unions.
However, on the ground, volunteer firefighters – who make up nearly 80 per cent of the workforce – are no longer sufficient to meet demand. “If they work in their day jobs, we cannot force them to be on call,” points out the inter-union group, which is calling for additional professional staff to ensure an effective response, particularly in the face of increased risk of fire during periods of drought.