Talks Progress to Enhance Resources and Safety for Alicante Firefighters

The Government team of Alicante City Council, represented by the Councillor for Security and Human Resources, Julio Calero, and the municipal unions with representation in the Fire Prevention, Extinction, and Rescue Service (Speis) are advancing in open discussions on improving resources and safety. In the second meeting, they reviewed the progress made and monitored the evolution of pending issues, while scheduling a new working session for next week.

In the working session held this Thursday, they reviewed the progress made regarding the issues discussed in the meeting of April 22. In this regard, the incorporation of 15 interim firefighters to fill vacancies in the workforce was highlighted, along with the launch of the bases and call for a new mechanical officer position, the addition of two new specialized vehicles, and the upcoming completion of renovation works at the Jesús González Soria park on Jaume II Avenue, scheduled for May 19.

Additionally, the councillor and union representatives addressed other pending issues from the previous meeting related to workday alignment, productivity, and holidays, as well as the regulation of the structural hours pool.

In the first meeting on April 22 between the government team and unions, the foundations were laid "to continue advancing in improving the resources and safety of the Speis through negotiation, which is the only viable path and the one that is addressing the needs of this essential service for the people of Alicante."

On this occasion, the first measures announced by Calero were proposed and have already been implemented, such as the call for a competitive examination to fill firefighter vacancies, the completion of renovation works at the Jesús González Soria park, and the "immediate" addition of new intervention vehicles. The working sessions include, alongside Councillor Julio Calero, union representatives from SEP, CCOO, CSIF, UGT, and Fesep.

Julio Calero has committed to continue working with the union side to maintain the significant effort being made to improve the conditions of the Speis, with around 10 million euros invested in the 2020-25 period in acquiring vehicles, equipment, and park renovations, "with the essential goal of strengthening resources and means to enhance safety in providing this essential service for the people of Alicante."