In November 2015, a firefighter from the Roquefort fire station in the Landes (40) refused to take part in the minute’s silence in tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks. Following his refusal, disciplinary proceedings were initiated and the SDIS suspended him for six months (plus a further six months suspended). He is now challenging this sanction and taking legal action against his superiors before the Pau Administrative Court, according to 20 Minutes, quoting our colleagues at France Bleu Gascogne.
“He wanted to reflect on his own, in complete privacy, which is exactly what he did”
His lawyer claims that this firefighter "He joined the nation in mourning and observed the minute’s silence. He wanted to reflect on his own, in private, which is what he did". In his defence, he adds that the government decree suggested that firefighters should observe this minute’s silence, but that it did not necessarily have to be organised as a collective event. According to Maître Dutin, "This order therefore went beyond what was required. Beyond that, it raises the question of civil servants’ freedom of opinion and conscience".
The firefighter is now claiming 10,000 euros in damages. Since his suspension ended, he has been reinstated at the Morcenx Fire and Rescue Centre in the Landes.