Contents
Extinguishing fires, clearing up damage after a storm: the work of the fire brigade has increased in many regions. With consequences.
In the event of fire, storms and, increasingly, minor problems: dial the emergency number 118 and the fire brigade will be deployed. For example, the Basel fire brigade is alerted much more frequently.
Even with very small fires, many people call the fire brigade.
According to the Basel Department of Justice and Security, the number of operations has increased by around 50 percent since 2010. There are many reasons for this, says spokesman Toprak Yerguz: “The population has greater expectations than before.” Other fire brigade corps in Switzerland are also observing this trend, says Yerguz. This is particularly strong in urban regions.
“Even with very small fires, many people call the fire brigade. Fires that used to be extinguished with a water bottle or a garden hose,” says Yerguz, emphasizing that in principle this is not a bad development. If in doubt, always call the fire department. But it also leads to more work for the firefighters.
Storm, electric car and skyscrapers
There are also storms that occur more frequently: “Storms are often widespread and sometimes even affect the entire canton,” says Yerguz. That is why the fire brigade is increasingly asked to clear away uprooted trees or pump out cellars.
But new risks are also a burden. As examples, Yerguz cites the risk of fires in electric cars or rescues from high-rise buildings. “There are ongoing further training courses.”
Additional burden: From trifles to forest fires
Fire brigade corps at the limit is not a Basel phenomenon. According to the Swiss Fire Brigade Association, it is not possible to make a general statement. Depending on the canton, the fire brigade is responsible for different tasks. The canton of Aargau, for example, recently decided that the fire brigade should no longer remove wasp nests.
Depending on the region, it is also completely different how much support the professional fire brigade gets from the militia fire brigade.
Nevertheless, the trend shows that the fire brigade is increasingly required in the cities. The professional fire brigade in Lucerne, for example, set a record in 2022: it responded 1,267 times.
And the Bern fire brigade reports, for example, that the interaction between the professional fire brigades and the 143 militia fire brigades is working well, but in the city in particular, operations for insects or tasks related to demonstrations are more frequent.
A forest fire is not a routine task for the fire brigade.
With climate change, the risk of forest fires is increasing, which challenges the corps in rural areas. The canton of Uri would also like to be better prepared for such emergencies.
He is currently working on an emergency plan with the communities and fire brigades. “A forest fire is not a routine task for the fire brigade,” says Uri fire brigade inspector Stefan Dahinden.
Basel politics calls for more personnel and material
In Basel, politicians are now demanding action. Because the budget of the professional fire brigade was last increased in 2019. “More staff are needed,” says Balz Herter, member of the Basel Central Council. He calls for more jobs and additional material, such as ladders or cranes.
The heavy traffic and the traffic-calmed streets slow down the emergency services.
In addition, Herter wants a second location for the fire department. “The heavy traffic and the traffic-calmed streets slow down the emergency services.” This should at least shorten the journey to an emergency. Herter wants to submit two proposals, which will then be decided by Parliament.