Firefighters from more than fifteen countries march through Brussels for more colleagues and better equipment

Firefighters from more than fifteen European countries demonstrated in Brussels on Tuesday. The march set off around 11 a.m. from the North Station towards Thurn & Taxis, where a European civil protection forum was being held, Bruzz reports. The European Public Service Union EPSU organised the action together with the Belgian unions ACOD, ACV and VSOA. ACV representative Steven Gilissen had expected 1,000 to 1,500 participants beforehand.

The unions want more professional firefighters, investment in vehicles, firefighting aircraft and protective gear, and the preservation of European budgets that let countries help each other in disasters. According to EPSU, the number of professional firefighters in Europe fell from 390,600 in 2024 to 372,400 in 2025, Bruzz and BX1 write. The federation counts twelve firefighters and rescue workers killed this year while directly fighting wildfires. In Belgium the unions also want occupational diseases such as certain cancers and post-traumatic stress to be recognised.

A delegation met European Commissioner for crisis management Hadja Lahbib; according to the unions, she backs their demands and proposed tripling the prevention budget, Bruzz reports. The Brussels fire service has some 200 vacancies. A new round of talks with management and the office of Brussels Minister-President Boris Dilliès (MR) follows on 13 November. The unions do not rule out further action.