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 1.

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.                                                      top

2.2

OBJECTIVES

2.2.1

To provide advice 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 throughout 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 improve communication by the exchange of information between the members of FEU and those with whom they wish to work.

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 countries of Europe which have, at national level, organisation(s) which 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.* Such countries shall automatically be able to become members of FEU subject only to them complying with its aims, objectives and obligations.
* Annex 2 lists the national organisations from which membership shall be drawn.

3.2

Obligations

Members (i.e. Nations) shall be represented by a maximum of three delegates 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 shall be entitled only to one vote notwithstanding the number of representatives forming its delegation to FEU.

4.

ORGANISATION

4.1

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

4.2

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.

4.3

The General Council shall accept as chairman a representative of the delegation of the host nation. The chairman's period of office shall commence from the conclusion of the immediately preceding meeting.

4.4

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

4.5

The Secretary shall:

a)

prepare an agenda for meetings in accordance with the wishes of Council and the proposals of national delegations.

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.

4.6

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

4.7

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.

4.8

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

CAREER PRINCIPAL FIRE OFFICERS
Permanently employed and/or specialist trained officers who have day to day 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 relationships 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.

                                                        top

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 rescue services.

Firefighting and Rescue 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.
                                                    top

EUROPE
The Nordic countries, Austria and the EU countries.

EUROPEAN UNION
Those countries forming the EU and those countries whose applications for membership are being considered by the European Commission.

Belgium

VBBOB

Vereniging van de Beroepsbrandweerofficieren van Belgie

AOPSPB

Association des Officiers Professionnels des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Belgique

Denmark

FKB

Foreningen af Kommunale Beredskabschefer

Germany

DFV

Deutscher Feuerwehrverband

VFDB

Vereinigung zur Forderung des Deutschen Brandschutzes

Finland

SPPL

Suomen Palopaallystolitto

France

FNSP

Federation Nationale des Sapeurs Pompiers

ANDSIS

Association Nationale des Directeurs Departmementaux des Services d'incendie et de Secollis

SNOPSP

Syndicat National des Officiers Professionals de Sapeurs Pompiers

Ireland

CFOA

Chief Fire Officers Association

Luxembourg

FNCSP

Federation Nationale des Corps de Sapeurs-Pompiers

                         top

The Netherlands

CCRB

College Commandanten Regionale Brandweren

NVBC

Brandweervereniging

Norway

NBLF

Norks Brannbefals Landsforbund

Austria

ÖBFV

Österreichischer Bundesfeuerwehrverband

Portugal

ANBP

Associacao Nacional de Bombeiros Profissionais

Spain

APTB

Asociacion Profesional de Tecnicos de Bomberos

Sweden

SBR

Svenska Brandbefälets Riksförbund

Czech

CAHD

Ceská Asociace Hasicských Dustojníku

UK

CACFOA

Chief & Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association