Brussels firefighters on strike today

Firefighters in Brussels are taking part in a strike and demonstration on Thursday, protesting against what they describe as severe underfunding and deteriorating working conditions in the city’s fire service.

The action comes amid frustration among frontline crews, who say budgets have not kept pace with rising demands on emergency services.

Organisers argue that investment priorities have increasingly favoured high-profile public projects while essential safety services are left with insufficient resources.

The unions representing the firemen (ACV, ACOD, and VSOA) pointed in particular to projects such as the new Kanal Centre Pompidou, which was recently awarded with €8 million in subsidies with a further €4.4 million, while they argue that the fire brigade is overlooked.

Firefighters will gather at Place de la Bourse in central Brussels before marching to key administrative offices to voice their demands.

Leaders of the movement have called on regional authorities to increase funding, asking for €15 million for equipment and increased staffing and training to ensure the effective functioning of the fire department.

The unions said in a joint statement: “These investments are absolutely necessary to guarantee the safety of the public and to reduce the workload for staff to an acceptable and responsible level.”

The unions have stressed that the strike is intended to be peaceful and lawful, focusing on raising awareness of the issues facing firefighters rather than disrupting emergency responses.

They have assured the public that essential services will continue to operate, with certain measures in place during the action.

Brussels officials have acknowledged the firefighters' concerns but also highlighted that a higher budget for the fire department is impossible because of a limited budget.

At the end of January, state secretary Ans Persoons proposed an increase of €3.25 million to the fire department's budget.