In response to recent statements made by the Personnel Board of the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium, the Provincial Council has issued a statement conveying a message of "calm and responsibility" to the public and denying claims of fire stations closing or a lack of operational personnel.
The provincial administration clarifies that "at no time have fire stations been closed, nor has the provision of service been interrupted." They explain that when a fire station must temporarily leave a station to respond to an emergency, it remains operational, as the personnel remain on duty in the area. Furthermore, they emphasize that the provincial nature of the Consortium allows it to respond to any new incident with "full guarantees," mobilizing resources from neighboring stations within a "coordinated and supportive" model.
The Provincial Council also denies that the workforce is working below the operating minimum. "The staffing levels meet established standards and are even above the average for the Autonomous Community," they state. In this regard, it is worth noting that in 2019, the number of personnel increased from 7 to 8 in the main parks and from 4 to 5 in the auxiliary parks.
The statement also emphasizes that negotiations with the various unions remain open and that the desire for understanding "is firm, loyal, and geared toward lasting solutions that strengthen public service."
The Provincial Council highlighted the recent organizational and material improvements promoted by the Consortium. These include the expansion of the workforce with 35 new hires in March, bringing the total to 100% of the planned staff; the improvement in employment conditions with the appointment of 51 sergeants and corporals this April; and the modernization of the vehicle fleet, with the acquisition of ten new fire engines for a value of €3.589.000. In addition, improvement work is underway at the stations in Elda, Villena, Ibi, and San Vicente.
Finally, the Provincial Council expressed its gratitude for "the dedication and professionalism of all our staff, especially during periods of high demand such as Easter," and urged them to "continue working responsibly, with institutional respect, and dialogue," with the common goal of providing a quality public service to all the province's citizens.
