Brussels Fire Department Faces Scrutiny Over Lack of Diversity

"The historical culture of Siamu or the police is not always open to diversity. The composition of the firefighters’ corps also does not reflect the diversity of Brussels. There are very few women (11 out of 1109 for the operational framework), there are few Brussels residents and there are very few firefighters from immigrant backgrounds," observes Pascal Smet, stressing that "this must change".

"I will launch an external, independent radiography of Siamu on the theme of diversity so that we can understand the culture, the structure of the Brussels firefighters corps," says Pascal Smet. According to the Brussels State Secretary, this will make it possible to establish a new plan in this area and actions against discrimination and racism.

La Dernière Heure and De Morgen report that the external audit has already been discussed with the corps chiefs. "Is there a problem at the individual or structural level? And does the culture allow such behavior to be reported, or do we need to put an anonymity procedure in place? We have to ask these questions now," he says. "In any case, it is clear that the existing disciplinary procedures are too slow," adds the politician.

Pascal Smet also admits that the firefighters still cannot accommodate diversity. "But it’s not because some firefighters are racist that the whole corps is suddenly racist," he nuances.