Overview
- The Vigo council approved a renewal of the programme that lets firefighters take extraordinary guard shifts that exceed their normal schedule to boost available hours.
- Luisa Sánchez of the PP says the measure masks a structural deficit, notes 23 new hires are arriving and claims more than 30 vacancies remain unfilled.
- The municipal government rejects the opposition’s vacancy numbers, says the extra shifts are voluntary, points to favourable occupational-risk reports and states 2025 posts are covered on an interim basis and in training.
- The PP also accuses the council of removing a prior 20-firefighter minimum per shift and of issuing an order that limits firefighters from speaking about corps matters on social networks, while warning overwork has already led to serious incidents.
- Extraordinary shifts have been used for years and this will be the third season under the same labour calendar, leaving officials and residents to watch whether autumn’s incorporations close the staffing gap or leave response capacity reliant on extended hours.