The amount of the basic hourly allowance for volunteer firefighters will be increased from October, according to a decree published Thursday in the Official Journal. An increase demanded by firefighters, particularly in demand this summer on forest fires.
The basic compensation will increase by nearly 30 cents per hour, from 8.08 euros to 8.36 euros, an increase of around 3.5%. “This morning, we perceive a real satisfaction. It is a recognition of the commitment and the historical context, ”reacted Grégory Allione, president of the National Federation of Firefighters of France (FNSPF).
“A historic development”
This revaluation comes on the day of the opening in Nancy of the annual Congress of firefighters, where more resources will be requested from the Ministry of the Interior.
To strengthen the attractiveness of volunteering, in November 2021 Parliament adopted a law introducing, in particular, the reduction of the duration of engagement giving entitlement to the new loyalty and recognition benefit upon retirement, as well as access to housing. social ease.
This loyalty service is fixed by a decree of September 21, also published on Thursday. It amounts for example for 2022 to approximately 512 euros for approximately 20 years of service and will increase to 1,024 euros next year.
VIDEO. With the firefighters in Gironde: “We do everything to protect the houses”
“It’s a historic development”, according to Grégory Allione who notes however that “there are still other subjects for the volunteer firefighters”, including a “massive recruitment campaign” and the need to “promote the availability “.
As of December 31, 2020, there were 251,900 firefighters in France, including 197,100 volunteers (78%), 41,800 professionals (17%) and 13,000 soldiers (5%), according to a count by the Departmental Fire and backup (Sdis).