Brussels firefighters suspend strike after backing staffing agreement

Brussels firefighters formally suspended their five-day strike in Brussels on Monday, 27 July, after staff unanimously endorsed an agreement with the Brussels-Capital Government, according to The Brussels Times and BRUZZ. The action, launched on 21 July over staffing and funding, can resume if the authorities fail to deliver the promised measures by the end of September.

The breakthrough followed negotiations completed on 25 July between the joint union front and the government led by Brussels Minister-President Boris Dilliès

The government plan provides for accelerated recruitment during 2026 and 2027. BRUZZ reported that the Fire and Emergency Medical Aid Service, known locally as DBDMH or SIAMU, is ultimately due to gain 100 additional full-time-equivalent positions. An earlier government proposal described by BRUZZ envisaged 132 recruits by the end of 2027; the difference reflects recruitment flows and the intended net expansion of the workforce. The agreement also calls for six to ten additional emergency-call operators and extra investment in stations, including facilities in Anderlecht and at the VUB post, BRUZZ reported.

The settlement followed severe operational disruption. On 25 July, only 17% of scheduled duty staff were working, according to Brussels Fire Brigade figures reported by BRUZZ, which warned that emergency-service continuity was under strain. The unions said the walkout reflected a structural shortage of personnel and chronic underfunding; fire brigade management had previously acknowledged that availability fell sharply during the action.

The two sides now face an implementation test. The joint union front told The Brussels Times that suspending the strike preserved leverage while allowing recruitment and investment commitments to begin. The government’s position, set out through Dilliès and reported by BRUZZ, is that the package provides concrete staff increases and €10 million in additional resources.

For Brussels residents, the suspension restores normal staffing expectations for firefighting, ambulance support and the 112 emergency system. The next decisive point comes at the end of September, when unions plan to assess delivery. They have said demonstrations and strike action will return if the agreed measures remain unfulfilled.