Volunteer Fire Brigade (VBS)
Verified 14 August 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
Want to become a Volunteer Fire Fighter (VFS)? You must meet certain conditions to participate in the tasks assigned to the fire and rescue services. Your commitment is 5 years, renewable. Your assignments entitle you to allowances. You may suspend your employment for personal reasons. We present you with the information you need to know.
The activities of the SPV are voluntary.
You participate throughout the territory in civil security missions of all kinds entrusted mainly to the fire and rescue services.
These missions are:
- Emergency relief and care for persons
- Fire-fighting
- Protection of persons, property and the environment
You can become a Volunteer Fire Fighter (VFS), whether you are working or not.
You must meet several conditions (age, physical fitness, civic conditions, etc.).
Age
You must have the minimum 16 years (21 years to be an officer).
If you are a minor, you must obtain the written consent of one of your parents or guardian.
Physical fitness
Your physical fitness is checked during a recruitment medical check.
Civic Conditions
He's no need to be a french national, it is sufficient to reside legally in France.
You must meet the following conditions:
- Enjoy your civil rights
- Not to have been convicted under criminal record bulletin no. 2
If you are a French national, you must also have Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC) and be in possession of certification of the services performed if you have performed national or military service.
The submission of your application differs depending on whether you wish to become SPV in Paris and small crown, in Marseille or elsewhere.
General case
To obtain an application, you must send a free paper letter to the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (Sdis).
Sdis selects candidates according to criteria it sets.
Who shall I contact
In Marseille
You must apply to the Marseille firefighters on free paper.
Who shall I contact
You commit for a period of 5 years.
This period is automatically renewable if you continue to meet the initial conditions of engagement (physical fitness).
Please note
In the event of loss of civil rights (or of a criminal conviction incompatible with the performance of his duties), the volunteer fireman's employment shall be terminated.
Volunteer Fire Fighter (VFS) activity is carried out with obedience, discretion and responsibility.
You also agree to respect the national charter of the SPV.
In the event of non-compliance with these obligations, sanctions may be imposed.
You receive initial training adapted to the missions of SPV.
You then benefit from continuous training and development to maintain your skills and develop your specialties.
You can also receive training in adapting to activities and responsibilities following a change of rank to carry out a new activity or responsibility functions.
Training is provided by the following organizations:
- National Graduate School of Fire Officers
- Agreement for the Mediterranean Forest (referred to as School of Civil Security Enforcement)
- Fire and rescue services
- National Center of Territorial Civil Service
- Military units permanently assigned to civilian security missions
As soon as you are committed, an individual training booklet is given to you by your managing authority.
This booklet lists the following:
- Qualifications obtained as part of your SPV activity
- Activities during your engagement
- Copy of the qualifications obtained attached
You complete your booklet throughout your engagement.
If you are working, you can leave your position to do your job.
You must to request leave of absence to your employer.
The latter must authorize any absence justified by a mission or training.
They can refuse only if your presence at work is required (absolute necessity of service). Reasons must be given for its refusal, and it is forwarded to the fire and rescue service.
Your absence is not paid by your employer.
Several schemes encourage employers, both private and public, to encourage the voluntary work of their employees or agents.
These include:
- “Firefighters' partner employer” label
- Reduction of social contributions, under certain conditions, from 1er january 2024
Please note
If you are an employee or a public official, you can benefit from a donation of rest days as a volunteer firefighter.
VPS progression takes place within a hierarchy comprising the following grades:
- Sapper
- Corporal
- NCO (Sergeant and Warrant Officer)
- Officer (Lieutenant, Captain, Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel)
Advancement is subject to seniority and training requirements.
You're not paid; you're only compensated, unlike professional firefighters.
The amount of your allowance is, according to your rank, one of the following:
Grade | Amount |
|---|---|
Sapper | €8.36 |
Corporal | €8.97 |
Non-Commissioned Officer | €10.13 |
Officer | €12.58 |
Your hourly allowances are exempt from income tax.
You can suspend your engagement for one or more periods. up to a maximum of 5 years, for the following reasons:
- Family
- Professionals
- School or university
- Parental Leave
The suspension shall be for a minimum duration of 6 months.
Suspension periods are not taken into account for your career advancement and seniority, but you retain your rank and seniority.
At the end of your suspension, you resume your activity after a medical examination.
To suspend your engagement, you must contact:
- To the human resources department of your departmental fire and rescue service (Sdis) by post RAR: titleContent
- To your center manager, if your Sdis does not have a human resources department, by simple letter or RAR
Who shall I contact
After you cease your engagement as a SPV, you receive an allowance or benefit.
Its amount depends on the following 2 elements:
- Year you ceased your engagement
- Number of years of service
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Before 2004
You are entitled to a old age allowance if you meet the following conditions
- You are at least 55 years old
- You have completed at least 20 years of service (15 years if your operational disability has been medically recognized)
- You are up to date with your pension insurance contribution
Payment terms and amounts vary from department to department.
The veteran's allowance has the following characteristics:
- Exempt from income tax and social levies (CSG, CRDS...)
- Not transferable (it is assigned to you personally and therefore cannot be transferred to another person)
- Cumulative with any income or social benefit
In the event of death, the Vetérance Allowance continues to be paid to your Civil partnership or partner if the Civil partnership was made at least 2 years before death or if you had a child with your partner.
In 2004
You are entitled to a loyalty allowance if you meet the following conditions
- You are at least 55 years old
- You have completed at least 20 years of service (15 years if your operational disability has been medically recognized)
- You are up to date with your pension insurance contribution
The loyalty allowance is paid only once a year.
The amount of the allowance differs depending on the number of years of service.
Number of years of service | Annual amount |
|---|---|
Between 20 and 24 years of service | About €450 |
Between 25 and 29 years of service | About €600 |
Between 30 and 34 years of service | About €700 |
Between 35 years and more of services | About €800 |
The loyalty allowance is exempt from income tax (but you have to declare it with all your income).
It is also exempt from social levies (CSG, CRDS...).
It is non-transferable (it is assigned to you personally and therefore cannot be transferred to another person).
It can be combined with any income or social benefit.
In the event of death, the loyalty allowance continues to be paid to your Civil partnership or partner if the Civil partnership was made at least 2 years before death or if you had a child with your partner.
Between 2005 and 2015
You have the right to a loyalty and recognition benefit (LFR) if you meet the following conditions
- You are at least 55 years old
- You have completed at least 20 years of service (15 years if your operational disability has been medically recognized)
- You are up to date with your pension insurance contribution
The LIP is paid only once a year.
You can use the LIP website to find out how much it costs. To do this, you need to sign in and open a personal account.
Access their Volunteer Fire Fighters Loyalty and Recognition (VFR) account
The LIP is exempt from income tax (but you have to report it with all of your income).
It is also exempt from social levies (CSG, CRDS...).
It is non-transferable (it is assigned to you personally and therefore cannot be transferred to another person).
It can be combined with any income or social benefit.
FYI
in the event of death, the LIP continues to be paid to your Civil partnership or partner or, if not, to your minor children.
Between 2016 and 2021
You are entitled to the benefit called new loyalty and recognition benefit (new LIP) if you meet the following conditions
- You are at least 55 years old
- You have completed at least 20 years of service (15 years if your operational disability has been medically recognized)
The new LIP is paid only once a year.
The amount of the new LIP differs depending on the number of years of service performed.
Number of years of service | Annual amount |
|---|---|
From 20 years to 24 years of service | €1,024.95 |
From 25 to 29 years of service | €2,049.90 |
From 30 years to 34 years of service | €2,690.50 |
35+ years of service | €3,074.85 |
The new LIP is exempt from income tax (but you have to report it with all of your income).
It is also exempt from social levies (CSG, CRDS...).
It is non-transferable (it is assigned to you personally and therefore cannot be transferred to another person).
It can be combined with any income or social benefit.
Please note
in the event of death, the new LIP continues to be paid to your Civil partnership or partner or, if not, to your minor children.
Since November 27, 2021
You are entitled to the benefit called new loyalty and recognition benefit (new LIP) if you meet the following conditions
- You are at least 55 years old
- You have completed at least 15 years of service (10 years if your operational disability has been medically recognized)
The new LIP is paid only once a year.
The amount of the new LIP differs depending on the number of years of service performed.
Number of years of service | Annual amount |
|---|---|
From 15 to 19 | €512.50 |
From 20 years to 24 years of service | €1,024.95 |
From 25 to 29 years of service | €2,049.90 |
From 30 years to 34 years of service | €2,690.50 |
35+ years of service | €3,074.85 |
The new LIP is exempt from income tax (but you have to report it with all of your income).
It is also exempt from social levies (CSG, CRDS...).
It is non-transferable (it is assigned to you personally and therefore cannot be transferred to another person).
It can be combined with any income or social benefit.
Please note
in the event of death, the new LIP continues to be paid to your Civil partnership or partner or, if not, to your minor children.
In the event of death in service, your loved ones may be entitled, under certain conditions, to a reversion allowance.
The reversion allowance shall be paid every month to any of the following:
- Person you lived with as a couple
- Unremarried former spouse, unmarried and not living in a common-law relationship
- Child under 21 years of age or regardless of age if disabled
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS)
- Civic service at the Paris fire brigade
- Marseille Fire Mariners Battalion
Fire Mariner Battalion
9 Boulevard de Strasbourg
13233 Marseille Cedex 20
Tel: 04 96 11 75 00
- Internal Security Code: Articles L723-3 to L723-21Conditions of engagement
- Law n° 2023-580 of 10 July 2023 to strengthen the prevention and fight against the intensification and extension of the fire risk
- Law n°2021-1520 of 25 November 2021 aiming to consolidate our model of civil security and value the volunteering of firefighters and professional firefighters
- Law No. 2011-851 of 20 July 2011 on the engagement of volunteer firefighters and its legal framework
- Act No. 91-1389 of 31 December 1991 on the social protection of volunteer firefighters in the event of an accident or illness contracted in serviceRule 14
- Decree No. 2023-774 of August 11, 2023, extending the grant of rest days to civilian personnel engaged as volunteer firefighters
- Decree No. 2022-1116 of 4 August 2022 laying down the conditions for the award of the label “firefighters' partner employer”
- Decree No. 2017-912 of 9 May 2017 on the various end-of-service benefits allocated to volunteer firefighters
- Decree No. 2012-492 of 16 April 2012 on allowances for volunteer firefighters
- Decree No. 92-620 of 7 July 1992 on the social protection of volunteer firefighters in the event of an accident or illness contracted in service
- Order of 21 September 2022 fixing the amount of the new loyalty and recognition benefit for volunteer firefighters
- Order of 21 September 2022 fixing the amount of the basic hourly allowance for volunteer firefighters
- Order of 22 August 2019 on the training of professional and volunteer firefighters
- Order of 6 May 2000 laying down the conditions of medical fitness of professional and volunteer firefighters
- Instruction of 22 August 2019 on the differentiated engagement scheme for volunteer firefighters (PDF - 947.5 KB)
- Civic service engagementService-Public.fr
- Firefighters’ Medal of HonorService-Public.fr
- National Charter for the Volunteer FirefighterMinistry of the Interior
- Volunteer firefighters (video)Ministry of the Interior
- The new VPS Loyalty and Recognition BenefitFire brigade of France
- Retirement or loyalty allowanceFire brigade of France
- Loyalty Recognition Service (LFR)Fire brigade of France
- The compensation scheme for volunteer firefightersCaisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC)
- “Firefighters' partner employer” labelMinistry of the Interior
- Becoming a young Paris fire brigadeParis Fire Marshals