Funding
Germany
Financing of the fire brigade in Germany using the example of the municipality of Kabelsketal.The Fire Protection Law forms the basis of financing in each federal state. In Saxony-Anhalt regulated by BrSchG LSA. There the cost refund for employments of the fire-brigade is regulated. The fire aid of the fire brigades is free of charge in the event of fires and emergencies. This also applies assistance in rescuing people or animals from danger. Claims for replacement of expenses and costs according to the law on public safety and order of the state of Saxony-Anhalt as well as according to general regulations in case of intentional or grossly negligent causation of danger or damage. If a plant fire brigade is active in the municipality outside their area, The requesting municipality has to reimburse the costs incurred to the owner of the deployed fire brigade, if requested.
Municipalities and counties may charge fees under the Municipal Tax Act for. The fire brigade will not be able to carry out any other duties that have been caused intentionally or through gross negligence, nor will it be able to carry out any voluntary duties or provide a fire safety guard. The municipalities and counties may levy fees in accordance with the Municipal Charges Act (Kommunalabgabengesetz) for operations caused intentionally or by gross negligence, for voluntary operations and for the provision of a fire safety watch. Lump sums for individual services may be specified in the fee statutes; in particular, the time required for the service may be taken into account. A fee under private law may also be charged for voluntary assignments and services. The person whose action made the services necessary shall be liable for reimbursement of costs; the owner of the object or the person who exercises actual control over the object whose condition made the services necessary; the person on whose behalf or in whose interest the services are provided; the person who deliberately or grossly negligently triggers the usage of a fire brigade without cause.
The Municipality of Kabelsketal has summarized this in the statutes "regulating the reimbursement of costs for services provided by the fire brigade of the Municipality of Kabelsketal". In addition to the cases listed above the following voluntary services are also subject of charges: Pumping out cellars and other rooms and buildings as well as ponds and similar water reservoirs, Filling of ponds, water reservoirs, etc., participation in clearing and clearing work, Salvaging or securing property, catching animals, searching for animals, Opening doors or gates (e.g. in buildings, apartments, lifts or vehicles), Removal of environmentally hazardous or dangerous substances, Felling and pruning of trees, Provision of firefighters, technical equipment and other assistance which are not part of the statutory tasks of the fire brigade and/or the necessity of which arises on request.
The municipalities and administrative districts receive at least 3,000,000 Euro annually from the revenue of the fire protection tax according to the fire protection tax law for executing thier taskes based on the law. The Ministry which is responsible for fire protection shall be authorized by decree To determine the distribution of the money between the fire brigades by taking into account the population, the area as well as the number of fire brigades. For Kabelsketal this results in approx. 8,700 €, whereby approx. 500 T€ fell on expenses which are not covered by income.
Furthermore, there is an expense allowance for the members of the volunteer fire brigade which is quantified as follows. The municipal fire brigade leader receives 300 €, his deputies 100 €, the local fire brigade leaders 120 €, their deputies 60 €, the equipment, youth and children's wardens 60 € per person. The active members of the fire brigade's operations department receive a monthly lump-sum expense allowance of 12.00 EUR. Additional expenses for the protection of health and the preservation of physical performance of breathing apparatus wearers will be compensated with a monthly lump sum of 10.00 EUR, if the prerequisites for use as a breathing apparatus wearer are met. The expenses of the members of the emergency department for participation in fire brigade missions are reimbursed with a lump sum of EUR 5.00 per operation.
Denmark
The government provides a grant to complete education for volunteers, including maintainance on materiel, vehicles also. The grant is only possible for approved educations, and there is a pay out for each hour a volunteer participates. The Fire and Rescue Service has to make an application and financial Accounting to the Danish Emergency Management (DEMA), that administrate the system. It does not apply for volunteers, who functions as a firefighter in daily preparedness. They are financed by the municipality, based on the risk-based design.Croatia
Volunteer fire brigades are being financing by local government in percentage depending on their budget. The insurance companies also separate funds in the amount of 5% of the fire insurance premium and pay to volunteer fire organizations which is usual less then 20 % of annual budget.Half of the budget is being spend for general expenses for like professional staff, travel, health and insurance expenses, phone, advertisement, water, heating, electrical power, maintenance, lawyer service, office materials, fuel and food for trainings and calls. 10 % is spend for "donations" for local stations: fuel, fee for attending calls, annual meetings, accounting. Rest would be spent for buying vehicles and special equipment.
Estonia
Volunteer Fire Brigades are financed from National Budget:- 3200 € per year
- 40 € per qualified rescuer per year
- 1st hour 20 € per rescuer
- From 2nd hour 10 € per rescuer
- Fireengine 70 €/h from exiting firestation
Bulgaria
Financing of the VF is provided through the National budget and the amount depends on - number of population, number of populated places /settlements, remoteness and/or lack of professional fire service in the area.- Funds provided for training, education and exercises - 1,5 €/per hour, no more 80 h/per year
- For participation in operational activities - 3,0 €/per hour, no more 160 h/per year (if the cost exceeds the budget, the difference is covered by the municipality)
- For personal equipment - Protective equipment (uniforms) – 500 € per pax, for 2 years period of use.