A conflict is flaring up in Catalonia between volunteer firefighters and the regional government. Nearly two hundred volunteers from Lleida and Tarragona have already filed lawsuits, claiming that their work has long since ceased to be purely voluntary. Their colleagues from Girona and Barcelona are preparing to join them, and the total number of plaintiffs could reach five hundred. This is about a third of all volunteer firefighters in the region.
Their main demand is for recognition that, in practice, they perform the same duties as professionals, and therefore are entitled to employment contracts, job security, and appropriate pay. Currently, volunteers receive only symbolic compensation—10 euros per hour—which they believe does not reflect their real contribution to the region’s safety.
Arguments from both sides
Catalan authorities cite a law that clearly distinguishes between the status of professional and volunteer firefighters. Officials argue that volunteers cannot be considered public servants, and their work is based on the principles of altruism. However, representatives of the plaintiffs point out that in recent years, the requirements for volunteers have tightened considerably. They are now required to undergo professional training, participate in regular drills, and adhere to strict duty schedules monitored through a special app.
Lawyers representing the firefighters argue that this system effectively turns volunteers into regular employees, but without proper guarantees or social benefits. They point out that volunteers are required to perform the same tasks as professionals, yet they lack stable salaries and do not receive comprehensive protection in cases of injury or illness.
Essence of the Lawsuit
A class action lawsuit has been filed in twelve labor courts simultaneously. The volunteers are demanding official recognition as permanent employees, equal rights with professional firefighters, and compensation for the pay gap over the past year. According to them, the current system of exploiting volunteers is a covert form of labor relations, which violates the law and infringes on the rights of people risking their lives for others.
The authorities, for their part, insist that the volunteers were aware of the terms of service from the start and could have opted out. Officials emphasize that many volunteers combine firefighting with their regular jobs—as butchers, mechanics, teachers, and even police officers. According to management, legal requirements and internal regulations are being followed, and all recent changes have been aimed at improving conditions for volunteers.
System Reforms
Since 2022, several improvements have been introduced for volunteer firefighters: legal assistance, health insurance (which firefighters themselves consider insufficient), and, starting in 2024, the possibility of receiving compensation in case of temporary disability. However, according to the plaintiffs, these measures do not address the main issue— the lack of official employment status and all the guarantees that come with it.
Lawyers note that in recent years, the workload for volunteers has only increased. While participation was once truly voluntary, now failing to meet certain requirements—such as skipping training or not fulfilling enough duty hours—can result in being dismissed from the firefighting corps. According to the plaintiffs, this shows that volunteering has become a formality, while the actual relationship is that of employment.
The authorities’ position
The leadership of the Catalonia fire service believes that the current model, which combines professionals and volunteers, is unique and valuable for the region. According to the director of the fire prevention and firefighting department, volunteers play a vital role, especially in smaller communities where call volumes are low. Officials are confident that the lawsuits will not lead to changes in the volunteers’ status, as current law clearly defines their position.
Nevertheless, fire service representatives insist that in recent years, the requirements for volunteers have become almost identical to those for professional firefighters. They must undergo a selection process similar to that of civil service recruitment, adhere to strict discipline, and meet minimum hour requirements. Despite this, their rights and social benefits remain at the volunteer level.
If you weren’t aware, the volunteer firefighters of Catalonia (Bombers Voluntaris de Catalunya) are a special category of personnel who are officially considered neither civil servants nor paid employees. The system was modeled after the French approach and is based on a combination of professional and volunteer firefighters. Currently, there are about 2,900 professionals and over 1,400 volunteers working in Catalonia. Despite ongoing debates, regional authorities regard this structure as effective and have no plans to change it.
