State Leader Aagesen justifies the Pact of State following the fires, dismissing criticism from the Political Party (PP) about his disregard for science, claiming that ideology does not equate to the rejection of scientific principles.
In the face of an increasing number of wildfires and the urgent need to address climate change, Third Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen has called for unity and improved working conditions for forest firefighters.
Aagesen, in a recent statement, emphasized the importance of managing forests well to prevent indiscriminate fires. She also highlighted the need for better preparedness and management of fuel, asserting that integrated forest management would be key in this regard.
The Spanish Government has taken steps to address these concerns. The Official State Gazette (BOE) has published a new collective agreement for the Forest Fire Reinforcement Brigades (BRIF), which includes improvements in salaries, work shifts, and work-life balance. Aagesen considers this reform as important as moving from being considered forest laborers to being forest firefighters.
The reform also aims to professionalize forest firefighters, providing them with regulated training, health and safety protocols, and better working conditions. Specific measures for improvements in working conditions are not yet detailed, but the deployment of certified specialized modules like the German GFFF-V and coordination of reinforcements suggest increased logistical and operational support aimed at reducing exhaustion and improving effectiveness in difficult terrain.
Aagesen has also urged the autonomous communities to improve the labor conditions of their forest firefighters. She emphasized that this is a key moment to ensure that each one has the best conditions to fight the fires effectively.
The Government is also making efforts to ensure that forest firefighters are treated equally across all autonomous communities. Aagesen argues that extinguishing fires is a transferred competency to the autonomous communities, but she urges them to work together for the common good.
The Spanish Government has also stated that it will be present from the beginning of the emergency to its resolution. Currently, several autonomous communities are cooperating with the central Spanish government in fighting active wildfires, including Castile and León, Galicia, Extremadura, Asturias, and the Basque Country, among others. Additional support comes from hundreds of soldiers and international teams, including German firefighters from North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony.
However, the PP has dismissed the State Pact against fires as a 'smokescreen'. In response, the Government has stated that climate change is a reality and that the State Pact is necessary to address it. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also proposed a State Pact against the climate emergency.
In a bid to get the State Pact approved, Aagesen has asked the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, to be "up to the task" in the fight against fires. She emphasized the importance of unity and coordination among all levels of administration in addressing wildfires.
At present, there are 22 active fires in five autonomous communities, causing concern. However, Aagesen has emphasized the excellent collaboration between the national forest fire information coordination center and the Autonomous Communities in managing these fires.
In conclusion, the Spanish Government is taking steps to address the increasing number of wildfires and the challenges posed by climate change. The reform of the collective agreement for forest firefighters, the deployment of specialized modules, and the cooperation between the central government and the autonomous communities are all part of this effort. The Government's call for unity and improved working conditions for forest firefighters is a testament to its commitment to ensuring the best possible conditions for those on the front lines of the fight against wildfires.
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