Only in overtime!

Overtime case: head of the fire department under cross-examination

The professional fire department in Klagenfurt is always ready for operations of all kinds - which is why it makes many positive headlines. But now there are accusations against their boss. Symbolic image

(Bild: APA/Georg Hochmuth)

Klagenfurt's town hall is in an uproar: the head of department, who has only been with the city council since 2022 but has already collected an incredible 110,000 euros for overtime, is now responding to these allegations. How could this even happen?

There seems to be no end to the turmoil at Klagenfurt town hall, which is still struggling with enormous budget problems. Above all, the fact that a department head who has only been working in the city council since 2022 has already collected an incredible 110,000 euros in overtime in the middle of the cost-cutting wave is a source of anger for many.

Head of the professional fire department takes a stand
The man in question is Fire Director Herbert Schifferl, who succeeded Gottfried Strieder as head of the professional fire department. "The situation is like this: I am completing the required officer training for this post in Graz - as agreed - but it is in Klagenfurt. It's a double burden, as I'm also on duty," explains Schifferl.

Herbert Schifferl (right) has been appointed as the new head of the professional fire department in 2022. Pictured with Mayor Scheider and Deputy Fire Director Wolfgang Germ

(Bild: Krone)

Situation is costing the city and citizens money unnecessarily
A situation that is costing the city and its citizens dearly. The only question is how this could have been approved by the city in the first place. Apparently, the overtime was waved through without being thoroughly checked ...

In addition to the overtime, however, there were also the mileage allowance bills. "During my basic training, I was always in Graz from Monday to Friday. Of course I charged the amounts for these journeys. After that, I had one day on duty and one day off. That's when I visited my family," says the man from Lavanttal. "The city council also knew about the problem when I was appointed head of the professional fire department."

All parties represented in the Rauhaus are now calling on Team Carinthia Mayor Christian Scheider to clarify the matter in full. Even Günter Bauer, head of the Court of Audit, will investigate the matter.

Schifferl wants to complete his training in any case. "It will last until the end of 2025. Next year, the training will not only be in Graz, but also in Klagenfurt anyway."

Savings on posts?
There are currently seven officers in the professional fire department, but this could be reduced to four. "By no longer filling the posts," it says. Schifferl's deputy Wolfgang Germ was also deputy mayor, so he knows both sides. During Schifferl's absence, he is in charge of the fire department - he does not want to say anything about the current situation.

Fire department expenditure in Klagenfurt has risen by 52 percent over the past ten years - unnecessary additional burdens such as horrendous overtime should therefore be questioned once again.