“By reporting to the guard unshaven despite the call to order from your company commander, you failed in your duty of obedience to your superior
. ”
Since the beginning of February, the rag has been burning between several professional firefighters from the Loire department and their management.
In question, the wearing of beards by at least seven of them, who were sanctioned on February 8 after refusing to shave.
Management highlights the necessary safety and health protection of its agents.
“In order to guarantee optimal sealing and prevent leaks likely to endanger the firefighter, the respiratory protection mask of an insulated breathing apparatus must be worn on shaved skin.
The thermal protection hood worn over and enveloping the head and the attachment of respiratory protection.
A recommendation also reiterated by equipment suppliers
,” she assures in a press release.
Also read “More than 1h30 waiting”: record delays in emergencies for the Lyon firefighters
“There is no obligation to shave completely”
For his part, Rémy Chabbouh, general secretary of the Sud-Solidaires union, denounces a
“totally ridiculous”
decision .
According to him, in no case
does “the national regulation require a complete shave”
.
“This subject is not only Ligerian, it is a national problem and all the case law is favorable to us
,” he explains to Le
Figaro
.
In the army, wearing a beard has been authorized since 1886 and a decision by General Boulanger, then Minister of War.
The seven firefighters have decided to file a “summary suspension” which must be examined by the administrative justice system in the coming days.
Pending a decision, the firefighters were temporarily assigned to
“functional missions on non-ranking duty”
.