The Senate dominated by the right-wing opposition began on Wednesday evening, September 22 the examination of a consensual bill to better promote volunteer firefighters and experiment with a single emergency call number, which Marlène Schiappa wanted a
“rapid adoption”
and
“as unanimously as possible”
.
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Prepared by the LREM deputy Fabien Matras, then supported by the government, the text, adopted unanimously in May by the deputies, intends to
"consolidate"
the French civil security model which is largely based on volunteering, representing 80% of the 250,000 firefighters. To encourage vocations and retain volunteers, it provides for more advantageous financial subsidies or easier access to social housing. To fight against attacks, he proposes to generalize pedestrian cameras and strengthen the criminal response when firefighters are insulted. The government has, moreover, introduced a mention
"death for the service of the Republic"
for the public agents deceased
"in exceptional circumstances".
, with the status of wards of the Republic for their children.
Senate rapporteurs Françoise Dumont (LR), Loïc Hervé (centrist) and Patrick Kanner (PS) welcomed
"many consensual advances"
.
The senators adopted the text unanimously in committee, with however modifications in particular on the single number.
They retained the principle of experimentation according to different configurations, recommended by the deputies, but in particular shortened its duration from three to two years, in order to achieve
"more quickly a generalization of the solution adopted".
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The Minister in charge of Citizenship Marlène Schiappa indicated at the opening of the debates that the government would oppose the changes proposed by the senators.
"We are not the auxiliaries of a government already in the presidential campaign"
, declared for his part Patrick Kanner, accusing the government of wanting to accelerate the adoption of the text in view of the congress of the National Federation of Firefighters
"which is taking place. takes place in October in Marseille ”
.
"We will not hesitate to postpone the entry into force of the text for a few weeks if it is in the interest of the actresses and actors of civil security
," he warned.
Senators will continue their consideration of the articles and some 130 amendments on Thursday.