The staff of the Chêne-Bougeries volunteer firefighters could lose their feathers. After a turbulent year (read box)the ax fell shortly before the holidays.
“The Administrative Council unanimously decided to exclude two members of the general staff, to blame two others and to issue a warning against the last,” indicated the Commune, according to our sources. In total, five people are affected by these measures. The commander and first lieutenant were fired. The sergeant major and the quartermaster (responsible for finances) were reprimanded and the lieutenant was given a warning. Decisions which may, however, be subject to appeal by February 3.
At issue: “Three reports which highlighted a certain number of dysfunctions and organizational, administrative and financial weaknesses within Company 21 of volunteer firefighters,” continues the Town Hall. Among the findings made in the organizational audit, the investigator noted in particular worrying alcohol consumption, non-compliant intervention vehicles, expired life jackets, negligence in administrative monitoring and inappropriate conflict management.
He concludes that “human relations between the members of the company are degraded to such an extent that it is unimaginable to continue the activities of the company under the direction of the three members of the general staff (captain, first lieutenant and sergeant major). The risks of personal conflicts cannot be minimized or ruled out.”
If the audit is severe and reveals serious failings, it is also widely criticized by the lawyers of the people concerned. One of them recalls that the firefighters’ supervisory body, the Cantonal Office for the Protection of the Population and Military Affairs, had inspected the company in December 2023. At the time, all the lights were green . How can we explain that six months later, nothing is going well? “Because everything is false in the audit,” assures the defender. And to specify that, with regard to the consumption of alcohol, the premises were shared with the company’s friends, who have no longer been authorized to access them since last summer.
He also emphasizes that, until now, the Commune has always lost in the face of justice. Its decision to suspend three senior officers in June 2024 was overturned by the Court of Justice, which requested their reinstatement. The publication of audits on the Municipality website at the end of December was banned. Furthermore, by agreement between the parties, the procedure was suspended. However, the Town Hall announced these corrective measures, against all expectations, on December 23.
“Our constituents are shocked by this wave of unfair and repeated actions against them,” conclude Me Ditisheim, Me Harych and Me Broido. While the proceedings before the administrative chamber were suspended by mutual agreement, they were notified of two exclusion decisions and a reprimand. Fortunately, justice has put the church back in the middle of the village and put limits on the indecent behavior of the commune. Furthermore, our clients contest all grievances.”
2024: a chaotic year
Following denunciations last year, three members of the general staff were suspended, wrongly according to the courts. The company, divided into two warring clans, had been emptied of its personnel: part of the firefighters having taken a sabbatical as a sign of protest during the suspension of the high-ranking officers and another having done the same during their reintegration. Result: in November, the company could no longer carry out its mission. The Fire and Rescue Service (SIS) then had to take over. Questioned about the resumption of activity of the company, currently at a standstill, the Municipality indicated that the SIS would continue to provide services to the population.
