Around fifty state agents had a unique experience this Tuesday at the Drôme prefecture: they participated in an earthquake simulation using a vehicle unique in Europe.
The Seismotruck stopped at the Drôme prefecture this Tuesday: a bright orange truck, a seismic experiment vehicle, unique in France and Europe. It belongs to the NGO “International Emergency Firefighter”based in Limoges. The visitor is equipped with a virtual reality headset and takes a seat on a vibrating platform. “We have a simulation platform which is controlled by computer. And in fact, it restores the waves and the effects of any earthquake” explains Christophe Bézzazi, firefighter in Rosières, in South Ardèche. He is part of the NGO. “We find ourselves as close as possible to reality. This allows you to develop appropriate behaviors, survival reflexes, first aid actions in the event of a real earthquake.“The whole point is there: to feel and then learn what to do, where to take refuge.
Seismic risk culture not sufficiently developed in France
.At the Drôme prefecture, around fifty agents had the experience as part of their job, their mission but also on a personal basis. According to Christophe Bezzazi, the culture of seismic risk is not sufficiently developed in France. The seismotruck, for the moment, is mainly used for demonstrations on the Côte d'Azur. This is the first time that the NGO has intervened with its vehicle in Drôme; it has never been tested in Ardèche. Yet a seismic zone: no one has forgotten the Teil earthquake on November 11, 2019 which damaged or destroyed 600 buildings. “We, in Drôme-Ardèche, would never have believed that there would have been an earthquake“continues the Ardèche firefighter.”It's not a huge earthquake, because we have experienced earthquakes of more than 7, as part of our relief efforts. (abroad), but if only the 5.4 here, we would never have believed it. So, if you want, the fact that there was this, it may interest the population a little more“. The seismotruck can operate in schools, municipalities, within companies, professional seminars. Interested people can contact the NGO Firefighters of international emergency.
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