French fire and rescue service personnel were called to strike on 13 August by a national intersyndicale demanding more resources and recruitment. The intersyndicale's strike call covers all personnel of the French fire and rescue services (SIS), from professional firefighters to administrative, technical and specialized staff.
The intersyndicale's communiqué calling the strike was published on Friday 7 August. Nine union organizations denounce 'major difficulties calling for immediate responses from the State' and demand 'sustainable, fair and ambitious funding' for the fire and rescue services, in line with their growing missions and the country's civil-security challenges.
The unions also demand 'the statutory recruitment of professional firefighters' and that 'the health and safety of staff' become 'a national priority'. They call on all personnel to mobilize 'by all legal means available to them', including joining the strike, wearing a distinctive sign, local initiatives or relaying the call.
Forest fires in July burned more than 120,000 hectares in France, highlighting the strain on firefighters who demand more resources 'to guarantee interventions under good conditions'. Manuel Coullet, secretary general of SUD Sdis National, said professional firefighters who go in reinforcement columns to forest fires do so on their vacation time because fire stations do not have enough staff to handle routine calls.
Civil security is the poor relation of the ministry.
Coullet said it is no longer acceptable for a firefighter to attack a fire with equipment that does not match the situation, citing cotton hoods that do not protect against toxic substances in smoke. He noted that cartridge masks exist that are lighter than self-contained breathing apparatus and are used by European firefighters, and that Sdis should simply be allowed to buy them.
We want concrete action, and now!
On Thursday, French professional firefighters and administrative, technical and specialized staff (PATS) filed a national strike notice. Coullet said the strike notice 'is not a call to take to the streets', but will allow colleagues to gather in barracks and show their support. A national press conference is to be organized by the intersyndicale on Thursday.
France Télévisions reported, citing entourage of French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and confirming RMC, that Nuñez would meet firefighters' union representatives at noon on Thursday. The meeting is highly anticipated. Jean-Didier Berger, minister delegate attached to the French Interior Ministry, assured on RMC that a 'permanent dialogue' is maintained with the unions and that 'many resources' had already been put in place.
Coullet acknowledged that the civil security budget has doubled under Emmanuel Macron's two terms, but said it only allowed services to catch up after twenty years of underinvestment. He added that the 'last public service sent everywhere' is deteriorating for lack of sufficient means.
Professional firefighters are demanding a say on the bill to modernize civil security arising from the 'Beauvau de la Sécurité civile'. The 'Beauvau de la Sécurité civile' consultation was launched in 2024 by Gérald Darmanin, then French Interior Minister, and its summary report was published in September 2025. Coullet asked: 'Almost a year later, we still don't know what is in this draft law. Does it really exist?'
Coullet called the united front of the nine French departmental fire and rescue services (Sdis) unions 'historic'. At the end of September, if the situation does not improve, professional firefighters plan to join the strike movement planned by civil service workers. The parliamentary calendar is tight ahead of the 2027 French presidential election.
