More than 3,000 curious people from the Geneva region were able to discover the Epeisses (GE) exercise place on Saturday, one of the most sophisticated sites in Europe for training for disasters. The large fire simulator and rescue dog demonstrations captivated spectators.
This Saturday, the Geneva population was invited to travel… to the borders of the canton. On the Epeisses exercise square, to be precise, a training site still little known to the general public.
The inauguration of the new Epeisses barracks, in 2023, marked the end of the redeployment of the army in Geneva. This Saturday, a year later, this giant playground for soldiers and firefighters was in full swing. More than 3,000 people came to discover the backstage of the center, where the army took up residence after the closure of the Vernets barracks.
>> Read also: The army inaugurates its new Geneva barracks on the Epeisses site
Vulcan in the center
Among the demonstrations, the large fire simulator naturally received a lot of attention. Named Vulcain, this unique machine in Europe offers various scenario possibilities for fighting urban or industrial fires.
In Epeisses, the village is made up of realistic settings. Infrastructure represents homes destroyed by natural disasters or wars.
On Saturday, the public was able to attend various demonstrations such as putting out a fire, exercises with rescue dogs and the destruction of explosives.
What makes some people want to repeat their military service? “We gave a lot. I prefer to leave room for young people,” responds a visitor, all smiles. Notice to future recruits…
TV subject: Guillaume Martinez
Web adaptation: Doreen Enssle
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