At a meeting held today, the Government Council adopted the draft law concerning the organisation of civil security and the creation of a single Grand Ducal fire and rescue body.
The objectives of the structural reform were multifold, and were cited as designed to address the shortcomings of the current system. Changes included:
- Improved risk coverage through the definitions of protections objectives;
- The optimisation of resources to implement solutions to risks;
- The creation on a national single structure for all public rescue services based on the national solidarity approach
- The establishment of a clear hierarchical order to ensure the uniqueness and continuity of command of relief operations
- The clarification of the relationship between the political and technical officials of an intervention
- The ensuring of the availability of emergency services by professional staff, whilst maintaining an important place for volunteers within the plan
- The definition of a professional profile and training manual for officers of the emergency services
- The recognition of the voluntary commitment of thousands of men and women to the service of others.
The Government Council also announced the creation of a public administrative institution entitled the 'Corps Grand-Ducal d'Incendie et de Secours (CGDIS)', or 'The Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Body'. This project was borne from a cooperation between the State and communes, which share responsibility for Luxembourg's emergency services. The new structure will aim to provide an integrated, efficient and effective management of all aspects concerning the organisation of the emergency services, such as the operational, technical, administrative and financial fields.
With the new synergy structure, it is hoped that duplication between the fields can be avoided and the current distinction between civil protection and fire services, and municipal rescue. The unique structure will also provide more equal funding for rescue services across the board, by allocating costs dependent on the real needs and priorities set by the emergency organisation national plan.
Just as the Grand Ducal Police announced the creation of new career opportunities within the force last month, this project will also create a new professional firefighter career, with the status of state official. It will draw on the existing career of the communal sector for professional fire fighters of Luxembourg City, and will provide for the automatic incorporation into the CGDIS of the Administration of Fire and Rescue Services and municipal rescue.
The draft law also took into account the status of volunteers at the heart of the emergency services and the complementarity between volunteers and professionals. The Bill therefore introduced two new measures to recognise voluntary engagament in order to express national gratitude for their willingness to serve public interest.
The law was created in conjunction with a series of overhauls that have been made to other sectors of the emergency services in recent months. This included the overhaul of the organisation and function of the Grand Ducal Police last month, which involved the consolidation of the country into three regions, as well as the development of technical and behavioural skills and other forms of training; and, more recently, the creation of six working groups within the police force to evaluate progress and deliver concrete proposals.
During the preparation of the draft law process, the following partners were consulted:
Administration des Services de Secours; Fédération Nationale des Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers; Comité des Sages de la Protection Civile; Inspectorat du Service d’Incendie et de Sauvetage; Syvicol; Ville de Luxembourg; Ministère de la Santé, Ministère de la Fonction Publique; Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes : Direction de la Défense et Direction de la Coopération au Développement et de l'Action Humanitaire; État-major de l’armée luxembourgeoise: Direction de la reconversion; Administration de la navigation aérienne; Haut-Commissariat à la Protection Nationale; Médecins Coordinateurs du SAMU, FGFC/Association des «Pompiers-Ambulanciers»; FNCTTFEL Landesverband; Fédération des Jeunes Sapeurs-Pompiers; Service d'Incendie et des Ambulances de la Ville de Luxembourg; and the Agents Professionnels et Volontaires des Services de Secours.
Photo by Ministry for the Interior
