French firefighters announce national strike for September and October

A coalition of unions representing French fire and rescue services (SIS) has filed a national strike notice effective from September 8 to October 20, 2026. The movement involves personnel across all ranks and statuses.

The unions are demanding significant government commitments regarding the upcoming civil security modernization law and the 2027 budget. Key demands include sustainable funding for emergency services, the recruitment of 20,000 additional professional firefighters, and a refocus on emergency medical care and rescue missions. They also highlighted the need for better protection against toxic and carcinogenic substances.

The timing of the strike notice aligns with critical political milestones: the presentation of the civil security modernization bill on September 8 and the first reading of the 2027 budget in Parliament on October 20. These actions follow recent concerns regarding personnel shortages and inadequate equipment during major wildfires.

Separately, the P2ST branch has announced emergency financial aid for employees affected by ongoing wildfires, offering €1,500 per worker and €500 per dependent child for those under evacuation orders.