|
Compulsory fire service
A compulsory fire service is a mandatory service for the local fire departments in Switzerland in general and in Austria and Germany in exceptional cases as well. Private individuals can be compelled to participate in such a fire service in specific circumstances. In Singapore conscripts are deployed as fire fighters when serving in the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). In Switzerland this mandatory fire service is common and required in most regions. In Austria and Germany compulsory fire services only exist when a volunteer fire department cannot be pursued due to a lack of personnel or other unavailability, meaning that fire protection cannot be guaranteed 24/7. All appropriate persons can be drafted to the compulsory fire service if they are needed. Legal situation The draft for a compulsory fire service is an exception of the Forced Labour Convention of 1930 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and therefore unfree labour shall not include:[1]
AustriaIn history, a very high number of the Austrian-Hungarian fire services were compulsory fire brigades and the basis for the present-day volunteer fire departments (Freiwillige Feuerwehr) in Austria. In theory, drafts for the local fire services are feasible, but have not executed in centuries. The legislation differs from state to state:[2]
GermanySimilar to the historical development in Austria, compulsory fire services (Pflichtfeuerwehr) are the precursors of the volunteer fire brigades (Freiwillige Feuerwehr) in Germany. Depending on the state's legislation, drafts are executed in a few municipalities. These municipal fire brigades drafted conscript fire fighters:
SingaporeIn Singapore the National Service is a statutory requirement[6] for all male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents to undergo a period of compulsory service in the uniformed services. Depending on physical and medical fitness, they serve a two-year period as National Servicemen Full-time (NSFs), either in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) or the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), which provides fire-fighting and EMS services in Singapore.[7] SwitzerlandForm of organization of the Militia Fire BrigadesIn Switzerland, it is common for compulsory fire service duty to be required of both men and women, whether or not they are Swiss. Most fire services in Switzerland are so called Militia Fire Brigades (Miliz-Feuerwehr). Militia firefighters normally pursue other professions, and have active duty only during exercises and missions. In the case of an emergency, the first response is completed by a group of specially-trained police officers. The militia fire brigade arrives as soon as possible. In special situations (major events, demonstrations, etc.) the fire brigade provides a standby service. Currently 95,000 people serve as firefighters in 1,500 fire brigades (Feuerwehrkorps); 92% are men. Only 1,200 of the 95,000 are professional firefighters, organised as plant fire brigades or a unit of a larger city.[8] ExceptionsExceptions include for example, the canton of Zurich, and in all places where professional fire brigades exist. If a fire brigade cannot find enough volunteers, it can carry out forced recruitment. These drafts are not popular, because the recruited firefighters are generally less motivated. Anyone who rejects service must pay a fire service exemption tax. See alsoReferences
External links |
