On March 11th and 12th, CESI paid tribute to the work and commitment of European firefighters. In cooperation with the Greek firefighters´ union EPAYPS, firefighters from Germany, France, The Netherlands and Greece met in Athens.

On the first day, the delegates visited the Hellenic Fire Campus located at the prestigious Stavros Niarchos Foundation premises in Nea Makri, Attica. This gave a firsthand insights into the state-of-the-art facilities and training programs dedicated to advancing European firefighting techniques and preparedness.

A visit at the National Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management within the Greek Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection followed. Participants were shown the advanced systems and protocols used to coordinate emergency responses.

The meeting with Hellenic Fire Service Chief General Theodoros Vagias provided an opportunity to discuss new technologies and enhanced collaboration avenues to further strengthen firefighting capabilities.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “To tackle incredibly challenging tasks, the EU creates immense opportunities for firefighters to connect, collaborate and support each other.”

The second day was dedicated to standardising procedures and norms under the EU Civil Protection Mechanisms and to improving working conditions for firefighters in all Member States.

Antonis Koukouzas, Fire Officer at EPAYPS, set the tone for a day of insightful exchanges among firefighters. The biggest challenge for firefighters in Greece remains understaffing and ageing (about 3000 in total with an average age of 49.2 years). Furthermore, mental and physical health protection is not up to EU standards.

Deputy-Director General Hans Das and Claire Kowalewsky, from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Directorate (DG ECHO), shared experiences and future improvements in EU civil protection efforts. The importance of asking for help when faced with disasters was emphasiwed. A changing risk landscape in Europe leads to an increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters, pandemics, hybrid threats, and critical infrastructure disruptions. An open dialogue with firefighters is of huge importance to prepare for future challenges.

Aynur Polat and Ad Baselier, representing the Dutch CNV-Connectief union delegation of firefighters, brought to attention the situation in The Netherlands. While the number of wildfires and flooding is increasing, Dutch firefighters and disaster protection forces are facing understaffing and late retirement ages. This makes the profession more and more difficult and less and less attractive. Concretely, CNV-Connectief is demanding that Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cancer-related diseases are recognised as occupational diseases and that workers are better protected in case of occupational disability.

Raluca Radescu, Policy Officer at CESI, referred to a question for oral answer addressed to the European Commission by the European Parliament on firefighters’ working conditions. In the debate, the urgent need for improvement was highlighted by all stakeholders.

Following this, the EU prepositioning program led by the Greek firefighter Vasilis Bikas was presented. The major importance of ‘prepositioning’ to coordinate and to quickly assist those affected by forest wildfires was underscored. The need to adopt good practices and strengthen the relationship between member states was equally highlighted.

The round-table session with the delegates from other European trade unions of firefighters confirmed the need for more investments and the worrisome toxic chemicals exposure of firefighters to smoke chemicals, contaminated PPE, and off-gassing.

This concern was raised by representatives of CNV-Connectief and Frédéric Monchy, representing French SNSPP-PATS organisation of firefighters, and confirmed the need for the European Commission to complement the work on the asbestos directive and to extend its scope for substances the firefighters and exposed to.

Alain Laratta from the French firefighting union Avenir Secours emphasised the challenges faced by firefighters in Europe and the need for continued investment in civil defense mechanisms.

Valentino Tagliaferro (Komba Germany) discussed the current challenges faced by firefighters in their countries and shared best practices for overcoming them.

Tilemachos Dafnis, Policy Advisor at CESI, shed light on CESI’s SYNCRISIS capacity building project, exploring how climate change affects the European workforce, particularly firefighters, and proposed strategies for adaptation.

The event culminated in a discussion on key demands for improving firefighters’ working conditions and safety. Attendees united in adopting a Firefighters’ Manifesto, outlining essential measures for supporting and empowering firefighters across the EU.

Find pictures from the event here!

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CESI Firefighters’ Days bring together firefighters and emergency responders from Europe to campaign for their pivotal role in ensuring public safety and disaster response, for the improvement of their capabilities and not least working conditions. This year’s event in Athens added an extra layer of support for Greek firefighters following the devastating fires in 2018 and 2023.