France, Sept. 28 -- Since 8 September, when nine trade unions representing some 44,000 professional firefighters began their strike notice, they have stepped up their protests, displaying banners, magnets and slogans on their vehicles to express their "anger."

On Sunday, firefighters from across France gathered and set up camp at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

"In practical terms, we're short of everything. We're short of firefighters, we're short of fire engines," Sergeant Nicolas Lomet, a firefighter in the Rhone region and a representative of the Sud trade union, told RFI.

French firefighters begin six-week strike over funding after record summer fires

Lomet is wearing a 'On strike' badge in place of his rank insignia and laments th...