Commander Sébastien Freidig, commander of the main rescue center in Besancon center from 2016 to 2024, currently Head of the technical services and logistics group of the Doubs firefighters, has just released a historic work on the firefighters of Besançon. 20 years of research were necessary in municipal and departmental archives, on the internet and by investigating locally to collect the information essential to the writing of this 240-page book.
Editorial interview: Commander Sébastien Freidig
Illustrated with more than 500 photos, “500 years of history, firefighters of Besançon” constitutes a reference in the field. It immerses its reader in the world of relief from the 16th century to today. The organization, human, material and technological developments implemented to fight fire are thus detailed. The daily battles, interventions and personalities are recounted through five centuries of history. 500 years ago, on September 26, 1524, the noble consistorial hotel of the city of Besançon issued a founding text for the organization of firefighting. A responsibility and a task which were then entrusted to fire guards.
Editorial interview: Commander Sébastien Freidig
Commander Sébastien Freidig
Thousands of documents searched
Editorial interview: Commander Sébastien Freidig
1524 marks the beginning of a great adventure, which will revolve around different milestones. “The fire guards will last from 1524 to 1831. The national guard will succeed them, before witnessing the professionalization of the fire soldiers (in 1947), who, since 1996, have worked within a departmental service. So many developments which are also accompanied by the provision of increasingly sophisticated material resources, even if the missions have not changed. In other words, the protection of property and people. On this subject, did you know that in Besançon, an automobile fire pump was created in 1902? It is, without doubt, the second in France. There is no shortage of references and sourced and verified information.
“500 years of history, firefighters of Besançon” was released on October 3. It is available in all good bookstores, online or from Sekoya and its author.
Editorial interview: Commander Sébastien Freidig
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