Daniel Salzgeber submits legislative initiative “Security is a state responsibility” to the state parliament | Photo: Gregor Meier
The FBP parliamentary group has submitted a legislative initiative to the state parliament to amend the subsidy law. Specifically, the state subsidy rate for rescue and transport vehicles is to be increased from 50 percent today to 100 percent in the future. The initiative was signed by all members of the FBP group.
The background is the current financing situation of the emergency services: Because the state has so far only covered half of the acquisition costs, the Liechtenstein Red Cross is heavily dependent on donations to renew its vehicle fleet. The FBP wants to change that. FBP member of the state parliament Daniel Salzgeber explains the initiative as follows: “Emergency vehicles are not an additional service, but part of the basic state service. It is therefore logical that their financing is also ensured entirely by the public sector. Donations should be used where they create real added value – not to cover basic infrastructure.”
More planning security for emergency services
With full state funding, the FBP wants to give the emergency services more planning security and at the same time create a clearer division of tasks between the state and private providers. Donations should thus be able to be used specifically for qualitative improvements, prevention measures, training and further education as well as additional offers – instead of flowing into the basic infrastructure.
Salzgeber emphasizes the importance of the vehicles for the everyday life of the emergency services: The emergency vehicles are in use every day and around the clock – they form the basis of primary medical care and civil protection, especially in emergencies.
Treatment expected after the summer break
The legislative initiative will first be checked for formal correctness. It is then planned to be discussed in the state parliament after the summer break.
