Fifty applicants take the last step to fulfill their dream of being a firefighter

Óscar, Rubén, Ubay, David, Enrique, Joel … They are the first on the list of illusion, They and four other colleagues abandon their status as opponents to be considered professional firefighters of the Consortium for Prevention, Fire Extinction and Rescue of the Island of Tenerife. The qualifying court has agreed to submit the proposal to the Executive Committee of the entity of the Council regarding the appointment as civil servants in practices after occupying the ten fixed positions that were offered. Another forty companions of fatigue make up the reserve list that, practically, also grants access to a staff reduced in numbers, as recognized by all the consulted parties. In both cases, the list was made public on October 29, as well as the result of the tiebreaker between two people who had equalized in everything.

Almost endless.

Those interested are waiting to complete the process that began three years ago from the moment the call was announced. After overcoming several postponements due to the Covid-19 pandemic, some very hard physical tests (in December it is one year old) or seeing the Court’s decision be delayed in the face of a claim for non-compliance with the bases, they now wait impatiently for the day to arrive. More when on the other side there are huge shortages of troops. As much as 70 to 80 for street services. They are like those six characters from Pirandello in search of an author. In this case fifty opponents with the Consortium as their objective.

A testimony.

Alberto is on the reserve list (don’t look for him because he’s a fictitious name). It confirms that “of course we are eager to enter. We have been fighting for many years and we have left behind studies or work, in addition to taking away many hours from the families. He concludes: “We are already a little tired.”

The eternal park of Güímar.

The entry of the forty on the reserve list is directly linked to a park in Güímar that is as advertised as nonexistent. There is already a building, project and even assigned salary or material for a staff of 20 firefighters. But the reality is that, as Alberto says, “there are no professionals between Santa Cruz and Las Chafiras despite all the advertisements.” In this regard, he values: “It does not seem acceptable to give 140,000 euros to the Güímar volunteers, who surely deserve it well, when the professional park is still in limbo and the announcement of its construction has been going on for four years.” This despite the fact that abroad “appears an advertising poster for the recent twentieth anniversary of the Consortium.”

In internal key.

From within, within the staff of the Tenerife firefighters, the statement is forceful: “It is very necessary for these people to enter now because the shortage of personnel is pressing.” They substantiate it: “There have been early retirements and, although the official workforce is estimated at 202 workers, the reality is that we are only slightly more than 170 of service on the street.” This source argues that «we have calculated the deficit between 70 and 80 firefighters» They add: «In the agreement negotiated in 2007, a ratio of 55 firefighters on duty every day was established for 2010. Well, we are in 2021 and we are 44 in that daily watch ». A final assessment: “We work overtime without stopping, the Güímar park does not open and these new people do not finish entering”, And a reflection to conclude: «This time it is not a question of money as in other times because there is more than ever. The municipalities religiously pay their Consortium fee.