Europæisk samarbejde

2. september 1996

CONSTITUTION
1. Title and address

1.1 The organisation shall be known as the Federation of the European Union Fire Officer Associations, hereinafter and generally referred to as FEU.

1.2 The address of FEU shall be the address of the Secretary of the Federation as noted at Annex I.

2. Aims & objectives

2.1 Aims:

2.1.1 The principal aim of FEU is to influence the European Union in matters concerning the development of fire brigades and fire safety in Europe and especially in respect of organisation and management; structure, technical skills, training and fire engineering so as to gain the most effective, efficient and economic means for mitigating the loss and damage to life, property and national economies by fire, other emergencies (including catastrophic national disasters) and all related environmental issues.

2.2 Objectives:

2.2.1 To provide on the management, organisation, responsibilities, financing and structure of fire and rescue services, to the European Union and to all other relevant organisations and to the constituent associations of FEU.

2.2.2 To express the opinion of FEU on any matter associated with disaster management, fire safety, fire service management, fire fighting, rescue and other emergency operations

2.2.3 To contribute to the scientific, engineering and technical development of all those matters identified in 2.2.2.

2.2.4 To promote appropriate levels of cross border co-operation between the brigades of adjacent countries.

2.2.5 To provide a forum for debate of matters of interest and the achievement, where possible, of common solutions.

2.2.6 To assist the development of career fire officers througout Europe by encouraging the co-ordination of appropriate vocational experience, education and training.

2.2.7 To encourage the promotion of appropriate legislation to prevent and to mitigate the effects of fire, disaster and other emergency situations.

2.2.8 To encourage the promotion of appropriate legislation to prevent and to mitigate the effects of fire, disaster and other emergency situations.

2.2.9 To undertake, promote or support any other activity or organisation which FEU believes will assist the achievement of its objectives.

3. Membership

3.1 Shall comprise the FEU Member European Countries which have, at national level, organisation(s) which we are able to include representation of the views and interests of career principal fire officers responsible for the strategic management of those matters identified in 2.1.1 and 2.2.2. All members shall comply with the constitution of the FEU.

3.2 Obligations: Members (i.e. Nations) shall be represented by a maximum of three reprsentatives who should be serving career principal fire officers; be senior members of their respective national association(s) and be mandated to represent one national consensus view on any matter of interest to FEU. Each country shal be entitled only to one vote notwithstanding the number of representatives forming its delegation to FEU.

4. Subscription

4.1 Each member country shall be responsible for the payment of af subscription as agreed by the General Council.

5 Organisation

5.1 For organisational purposes the national representatives forming FEU shall meet as a General Council to direct the business arising from its aims and objectives.

5.2 The General Council shall meet at least once a year and otherwise as determined by the level of activity necessary to meet the aims and objectives of FEU.

5.3 The General Council shall agree a representative of the delegation of the host nation.

5.4 The General Council shall appoint a Secretary for at period to be determined by the Council.

5.5 The secretary shall:

a. Prepare an agenda for meetings in accordance with the wishes of Council and the proposals of national delegation.

b. Liaise with the host delegation about the logistical arrangements for meetings in the countries of various national members.

c. Carry out the directions of the General Council.

d. Conduct the administration of FEU.

e. Maintain liaison with the European Commission.

f. Maintain liaison with other fire related organisations operating at European level.

g. Maintain records of current membership.

h. Maintain the financial accounts of the FEU.

5.6 The General Council shall authorise any payment of costs or expenses from FEU funds.

5.7 FEU shall not be responsible for any costs of expenses or delegates.

5.8 Decisions of the Council shall generally be achieved by consensus. Where this is not possible a majority of 66% of the members (nations) present is required for the adoption of any policy decision. Should this not be possible the status quo shall prevail.

5.9 The Constitution of FEU shall be amended only by the General Council´s decision.

5.10 The organisation structure of the FEU will be agreed by the General Council.

INTERPRETATION 2. September 1996

Career Principal Fire Officers Permanently employed and/or specialist trained officers, who have a day to responsibility for managing municipal/regional/county fire brigades at the strategic level of command. Fire Safety

The activity of understanding the process of combustion including the investigation of fire causes; the relationship between fire and people; the management and education of people as to their reaction to fire; the design of the built environment so as to control and mitigate fire and aid life safety; the use of law and interdisciplinary working between all those involved so as to protect the public from fire and economic loss.

Emergency Situations

Those incidents which present an unacceptable risk to the lives of people, their property (including animals and buildings) and the environment, from the hazards which require the intervention of emergency firefighting and resque services.

Firefighting and Resque Services

Immediate response services which are provided to fight fire; rescue, release and help persons trapped under any circumstances, and generally rescue, aid their community by dealing with hazardous materials or situations which may harm people or the environment.

FEU Member European Countries

The FEU Member European Countries are those countries of the European Union and the European Countries which are accepted by the General Council into FEU membership. European Union Those countries in the membership of the European Union and those countries whose applications for membership are being considered by the European Commission.

FEU SECRETARY´S ADDRESS:

Mr. Ruud Jonkmann

Postbus 200 11

NL-2500 EA den Haag

Netherlands

Telephone: +31 70 302 75 34

Fax: +31 70 302 74 24

MEMBERSHIP

Representatives to the Federation shall be drawn from senior career principal fire officer members of the following national associations:

Belgium

VBBOB (Vereniging der Beroepsbrandweerofficieren van Belgie)

AOPSPB (Association des Officiers Professionnels des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Belgique)

Czech Republic

CAFO (Czech Association of Fire Officers)

Denmark

FKB (Foreningen af Kommunale Beredskabschefer / Danish Association of Fire Chiefs)

Finland

SPPL (Suomen Palopaallystolitto)

France

FNSP (Federation Nationale des Sapeurs Pompiers)

ANDDSIS (Association Nationale des Directeurs Departmenmentaux des Services d´Incendie et de Secollis)

SNOPSP (Syndicat National des Officiers Professionals de Sapeurs Pompiers)

Germany

DFV (Deutscher Feuerwehrverband)

VFDB (Vereinigung zur Forderung des Deutschen Brandschutzes)

Ireland

CFOA (Chief Fire Officers Association)

Luxembourg

FNCSP (Federation Nationale des Corps de Sapeurs-Pompiers)

Netherlands

CCRB (College of Commanders of Regional Fire Chiefs)

NVBC (Brandweervereniging)

Norway

NAFO (The Norwegian Association of Fire Officers)

Portugal

ANBP (Associacao Nacional de Bombeiros Profissionais)

Spain

APTB (Asociacion Profesional de Tecnicos de Bomberos)

Sweden

SBR (Swedish Association of Fire Officers)

United Kingdom

CACFOA (Chief & Assistant Chief Fire Officers´Association)