“I will always be a firefighter because you are a firefighter for life”

In these first days of January 2025lieutenant Philippe Vallee permanently leaves the Plouguenast fire station, near Loudéac (Côtes-d'Armor).

I'm ready in my head to stop. I am happy to have started, proud and happy to have served for 40 years. I remain in the group and am now a former firefighter.

A passionate firefighter

Philippe's passion for the world of firefighters, in which he has always been immersed, was made to last. His father Michel then his brother Didier7 years his senior, were also there.

When I heard the siren, I also wanted to leave.

He volunteered at 17, did his military service with the Paris firefighters at 20, overmotivated after 3 years of training in Plouguenast.

After his year of service in Paris, he graduated as master corporal, a rank that he would have to retake to enter the volunteer service.

From adjutant to lieutenant

Philippe rose through the ranks, sergeant in 2000, warrant officer in 2006, officer in 2020 after 3 weeks of training at the SDIS (departmental fire and rescue service).

He was deputy to three center heads: Louis Marquer, Didier Vallée (his brother) and Didier Mahoudo. In his wake, he passed the torch to his daughter Morgane in 2014 (master corporal) and to Simon, his son, in 2017, currently on leave.

He received the large gold departmental medal at the last Saint Barbara's Day on December 7, 2024.

From sirens to beeps

Philippe has seen a lot of progress in 40 years, going from blaring sirens to beeps, and now to cell phones.

Laurence, his wife, will now enjoy the evenings without having to leave before the cheese…

On Sunday December 8, he carried out his last guard weekend and his colleagues gave him a guard of honorall screaming sirens, and all colored smoke bombs.

“Firefighter for life”

Yvon Le Janmayor, congratulated him for his exemplary careerhoping that young firefighters will get involved during the day to respond to the growing demands for assistance.

He was able to thank his wife for her patience, and all his colleagues for their gratitude. “I am proud to have served, but I will always be a firefighter because we are firefighters for life…”

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