Sergeant Clément Vilnet, 35, firefighter at the Mixed Fire and Rescue Center (CISM) in Reims Marchandeau (Marne) and father of two young children, died Thursday, January 23, following a cardio- respiratory on four days earlier. A drama that has deeply marked his colleagues, his family and all of the Marne firefighters.
During a sports session during his daycare day on Monday, Clément Vilnet was the victim of a cardiac arrest. “Quickly taken care of by a rescue vehicle and assistance to the victims and the SMUR, he had been transferred to a serious state at the Center Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) in Reims”said the Marne prefecture and the departmental fire and rescue service (SDIS 51) in a joint press release. Despite the care provided, he succumbed to his injuries after four days of hospitalization.
Pacsé and father of two children aged 6 and 2, Clément Vilnet was committed to the Sdis de la Marne in June 2011 as a voluntary firefighter. He had started his service at the Dormans fire and rescue center (CIS) before joining that of Cumières. Between 2012 and 2018, he also served in the Paris firefighters (BSPP). After his success in the professional firefighter competition, he joined the CISM of Reims Witry in November 2018, then that of Épernay in March 2019. Since October 2022, he has been working at the CISM in Reims Marchandeau.
“All the SDIS of the Marne personnel are associated with the penalty of his wife, children, family and relatives and send them their most sincere condolences”said the SDIS press release.
-Unanimous tributes and a kitty
The brutal death of Clément Vilnet aroused immense emotion in the profession and beyond. Flags at half mast in the barracks, minutes of silence, wreath laying at the Reims-Marchandeau barracks, but also a rain of condolence messages from all over France and tributes on social networks have testified to solidarity with the family and colleagues from the deceased.
“The big family of firefighters cries one of their children from SDIS 51”reacted, on X, the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau. “My thoughts go to his partner and two children aged 2 and 6”.
In order to support Clément Vilnet's family in this event, a kitty was launched by the Departmental Union of Firefighters of the Marne (UDSP 51). “We thank in advance all the people who will participate for their generosity”said SDIS 51. This Friday evening, more than 15,000 euros had already been collected. This kitty on the Leetchi platform is accessible here.
