Fire Engines Photos

Switzerland has some compulsory fire service laws, whereby citizens can serve as on call firefighters instead of doing military service. Is this organization an example of this rather unusual system?

Added by Rob Johnson on 07 April 2024.

Yes it is, exactly.

Added by Jacques PETER on 08 April 2024.

I know Sweden had a simular system in regards to conscription, but don't if it still applies.

Added by Carl Hasselgren on 09 April 2024.

For the Swiss VFD Milizfeuerwehr system I think it is mainly in Big and Medium cities.

Added by Jacques Peter on 09 April 2024.

As I understand it, conscientious objectors who are conscripted for military service in Sweden are allowed to be employed instead in civilian government service roles, but these are not confined to fire services. In practice, it seems the numbers of such individuals are very small. The other countries with compulsory fire service participation include some areas of both Germany and Austria. However, these administrations are very few indeed compared to the thousands of communities which are reliably staffed by unpaid olunteers.

In Switzerland, conscripts who refuse to serve in fire brigades can pay a tax instead, but this is a rather expensive alternative!

Added by Rob Johnson on 09 April 2024.

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