the essential
Saturday, December 7, firefighters from SDIS47 celebrated Sainte-Barbe at the Marmande fire and rescue center. Highlights of the morning.
Despite the bad weather, the entire family of firefighters gathered at the Marmande fire center to honor Sainte-Barbe. Young firefighters, professionals and volunteers, elected officials and families were all present. Highlights of the morning.
Several medals awarded
After a staff review, several firefighters were rewarded for their commitment, whether after a heroic act, such as a team that intervened during a fire in Agen and which saved two people from cardio-respiratory arrest. , or for decades of commitment. The emotion was strong for the recipients.
Photo – Vianney Masse
The new barracks inaugurated
Work began in 2021 for the rehabilitation of the Marmande fire and rescue center. The objective of this work is to allow firefighters to work in better conditions. Large at 620 m², there is a living room, a relaxation and sports room on the ground floor as well as a part dedicated to operations. Upstairs, several dormitories are available. Also planned, better accessibility, particularly for machines. In total, the work cost two million euros, a third of which was borne by the SDIS47, the other two thirds being for the department and the beneficiary municipalities.
Photo – Vianney Masse
Tribute for firefighters who died in service
Like every year, firefighters have died while on duty. Again this year, several have died in service. The deputies Hélène Laporte and Guillaume Lepers, the president of the department Sophie Borderie and Frédéric Tournay, director of the departmental body of SDIS47, laid a wreath at the foot of a stele paying tribute to them.
Photo – Vianney Masse
“No professionals on strike”
This Sainte-Barbe 2024 had a special taste. It comes a few weeks after the social movement initiated by several professional firefighters. The latter demanded more human resources. The unions demanded at least twenty new firefighters. The president of the board of directors of SDIS47 and the department, Sophie Borderie, has heard the grievances: “There is always a strike movement, but it is not followed. There are no firefighters strikers. We have held meetings and constructive discussions. We are working together to respond to the demands. There have already been five positions created in the past two years and three new ones in 2025.
