91996E1497

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1497/96 by Vassilis Ephremidis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (12 June 1996)

Subject: Use of the fire brigade as a repressive force

The Greek fire brigade is called upon to act as a repressive force under police command to break up public gatherings as reinforcements for the special police units assigned to these duties.

Since the fire brigade's task is to protect the lives and property of the public from the threat of fire, disaster and accident and given that in Greece the ratio of fire-fighters to members of the public is currently more than 1:1 800, when the ratio in other European countries stands at 1:700, using them to put down demonstrations further undermines the effective performance of their duties.

1. Does the Commission think that the practice of using the fire brigade to break up gatherings and demonstrations should be stopped because it contravenes the role and nature of the service, distorts its aims and duties and contradicts and impedes its task of serving society?

2. Does it know which EU countries use their fire brigades for repressive purposes?

3. Are Community funds designed to strengthen fire-fighting resources and operations used for repressive police work instead of the protection of the public's lives and property?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (18 July 1996)

1. The Commission is not competent to determine whether a Member State uses its fire-fighting services to maintain public order.

2. The Commission does not have any information on this matter.

3. In the past, the Commission has financed the equipping of fire-fighting services in Greece, but not the operation of these services. Such financing does not in any way strengthen the repressive role of the police but serves solely to provide better protection against fire.