In a recent letter to the administrative board and the directorate of the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS), Bettembourg's Fire and Emergency Centre (CIS) argued that the dialogue with volunteers was inexistent, and that the location of the new centre was far from optimal as its operating range would mainly cover France rather than Luxembourg.
The new intervention centre is planned to open in the "Riedgen" industrial zone in Dudelange. The news station is designed for firefighters from Dudelange and Bettembourg.
CGDIS opposed the criticism voiced by CIS. CGDIS director Paul Schroeder explained that the planners had used isochrone maps to determine a strategically ideal location for the new centre.
The location of the new centre, he explained, would allow firefighters and emergency services to cover the Dudelange and Bettembourg areas and, if need be, quickly move towards Remich.
CIS had also argued that the proposed location would be difficult to reach for volunteers or younger members who do not have a driver's license. They had stressed that it was difficult to get to the centre by using public transport. Schroeder responded to this argument by underlining that the same problem held true for other potential locations. This was therefore not a valid argument to determine the location, he said.
Schroeder also refuted the criticism regarding the alleged lack of cooperation and dialogue with CIS Bettembourg. He explained that CIS had not requested a meeting with the CGDIS directorate before sending the letter and stressed that CGDIS never refused to talk to CIS.
Schroeder concluded that Bettembourg's volunteers were not obligated to merge with Dudelange's unit.
