Mayoral directive

Fire department chief must no longer work overtime!

Not everything is perfect at the Klagenfurt professional fire department either (symbolic image).

(Bild: P. Huber (Symbolbild))

The case surrounding the provisional head of the Klagenfurt professional fire department, who has already cost the city a lot of money due to extreme overtime, continues to cause a stir. Now even the mayor is taking action.

According to the "Krone" report, Mayor Christian Scheider (Team Kärnten) has now even ordered the fire director to stop working overtime. According to "Krone" research, a total of 110,000 euros is said to be involved - this has only now been denied by Scheider following a new review.

"The actual sum that was paid out to Mr. Schifferl over a period of more than three years is 55,000 euros gross." The exact amount will probably only be determined by a precise review by experts. Günter Bauer has already announced this as head of the provincial audit office.

Inappropriate picture due to overtime
The fact is that in the current financial situation of the city - in any case - this paints an inappropriate picture. Scheider was also informed of the extreme accumulation of hours by the HR department back in September: "I have decreed that Schifferl may no longer work overtime with immediate effect, and this was also communicated to him in writing in a service instruction. I also pointed out that during his training, the managerial duties are to be transferred to his deputies." Fire Director Schifferl will also take leave to prepare for his examination.

SPÖ and ÖVP also want clarification
The Klagenfurt SP and VP are now also calling for a comprehensive clarification of this matter, which is why an urgent motion for a financial review of the entire professional fire department will be tabled at the municipal council meeting on Wednesday.

It is understandable that most firefighters are angry about such excessive overtime pay. For them, every euro is turned over twice.