Good afternoon.
I’ve just driven past our fire station and noted the « en grève » banners, which got me to thinking…if they’re mostly volunteers, what are they striking about.
Google shed a little light on their concerns, but I still wonder how the volunteer pompiers, who seem to be of the age to have homes and families, support said homes and families? Does anyone have personal experience?
TIA
No experience but i found this.
In September 2024, firefighters across France have launched a large-scale and coordinated strike, involving nine unions in a historic move. The main grievances revolve around their working conditions, with firefighters citing overwhelming workloads, staff shortages, and inadequate pay. Additionally, they point to serious health risks from exposure to hazardous chemicals, contributing to a life expectancy significantly lower than the national average.
The unions are pushing for better recognition of the dangerous nature of their jobs, advocating for improved compensation, health protections, and mental health support. Furthermore, they are asking for enhanced career advancement opportunities and equality with other public service workers, particularly in terms of bonuses for their work during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Although firefighters are protesting, a minimum level of service will be maintained to ensure essential operations continue.
Part time, retained and volunteers would appear to be supporting full time colleagues and vice versa.
Did you know the fire and rescue services in paris and marsielles are run by the military. Army and navy respectively.
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Wow, thanks, Ally. That’s really interesting. They really are unsung heroes. 
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The pay is poor but the risks are high, due to the different roles pompiers perform compared to say UK firefighters the annual death toll is appalling - France averages 18 pompier deaths every year, the UK fire service had no deaths last year.
Our youngest is a volunteer pompier and has been attacked with a machete, rendered temporarily deaf when a canister exploded during a roof fire and attended countless suicides which are mentally traumatic.
There is a massive shortage of volunteers and the government refuses to employ more full timers on cost grounds, is it any wonder they are striking.
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Quote taken a little out of context there - yes, having googled, I get it, but what I don’t get is how they manage to support homes and families while working as volunteers.
That’s terrible. I can see why they’re short of volunteers.
Do you have to support your son financially while he is a volunteer?
Most volunteers like my son have full time jobs, they get paid for their 12 hour shift (around 100 euros) which is free of tax and social charges.
I know lots of part timers from my old commune including the ex chef and they all but him and two others, worked in full time jobs- one used to be on the service desk at the big Citroen dealer in town and knew me everytime I bought the cars in for a service as he came round for the calendar donations every year and another one was a close neighbour who actually took my husband’s donated heart to the local airport to be flown to Marseille for transplant after he died and never told me for five years because he was so upset having known us for so long! Hope to god they don’t strike down here, its one of the main wild fire regions in the country and the driest with no rain since March 2022 but having many firemen friends before coming to France as they used to work as labourers for my OH firm when on layover, I can understand their grievances 100% and they don’t strike lightly at some silly reason either and they do have to do some very sh***y work too!
So they’re effectively working two jobs…similar to what I did to pay the bills when I was in my twenties.
Wouldn’t want to do it now though!
My goodness. Yes, it’s a tough job indeed. My friend’s son was a firefighter in the UK so I do understand- and support them 100%
Here our pompiers are all volunteers and, like the lifeboats in UK, have their own employment as well.
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Three firemen were killed in a forest fire on the banks of the River Giscle near Cogolin a few years ago, when on a narrow road their fire truck was blocked by an abandoned car and they could not reverse faster than the fire was approaching. Some years later the whole crew, were killed on the Garde Freinet to Le Luc road, a road I know very well. They were killed when their fire truck went off the edge of the road, possibly due to water ‘sloshing’ in their ready tank, into a ravine. Dealing with forest fires must be a nightmare and then when the people you are trying to protect start attacking you, a fireman must wonder if it is all worth it.
Pompiers are Heroes… 
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Again, a terrible story. My ex is a fire engine mechanic and the tipping over due to sloshing is a common problem. They have a tilt table at the factory where they fill up the tank and the vehicle is tilted to 45". It must stay on all four wheels or it fails. Obviously it’s a stationary test, and firefighters on a call are far from stationary. Brave people who truly deserve our support and gratitude
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