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Vigenin: The military cannot replace professional firefighters
At a meeting with European firefighters' unions, the MEP called for better equipment, more staff and investment in prevention.
“It is especially important that member states have their own capacity to deal with major fires, while at the same time being able to help each other quickly and effectively in disasters,” said MEP Kristian Vigenin during a meeting with representatives of firefighters’ unions from across Europe.
A European mobilisation of firefighters
The meeting was attended by representatives of firefighters’ unions from France, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Belgium, Sweden and Bulgaria. Bulgarian firefighters were represented by Ventsislav Stankov, Chair of the National Union of Firefighters and Rescuers “Ogneborets”.
The meeting was part of the Europe-wide mobilisation of firefighters under the motto “We protect society. But who protects us?”. The main topics of the talks were staff shortages, working conditions, and the protection of firefighters’ health and safety.
Stronger European support for fire services
According to Vigenin, stronger European support is needed to strengthen national fire services. He stressed that protecting the people who risk their lives every day for the safety of citizens must be a political priority. This requires better working conditions, adequate equipment and more measures to protect firefighters’ health and safety.
At the same time, the MEP pointed out that European solidarity is necessary, but it cannot replace national responsibility for building strong and well-prepared fire services. Wildfires are becoming more frequent, larger and harder to control. Bulgaria is among the countries most affected by this problem, as every summer fires destroy forests, threaten settlements and put the capacity of fire services to the test.
The military cannot replace professionals
“The military can help, but it cannot replace well-trained and well-equipped professional firefighters,” Vigenin stressed. According to him, more staff, better equipment, adequate funding and investment in prevention are needed so that fire services can respond more effectively to disasters.
