Almost faultless: 22 of the 23 candidates were selected, Saturday January 18, 2025, following the aptitude tests for engagement as a volunteer firefighter which were held, as usual, at the barracks from Parthenay. Prepared in their respective relief centers in the four corners of Deux-Sèvres, the ten women and thirteen men, aged 18 to 57, highlighted their abilities to read, write and count, their physical skills and their departmental knowledge.
“I had an accident and the firefighters were there for me, I owe them that”
“We have 1,350 active volunteer firefighters in the barracksrecalls Commander Franck Gaillard, emphasizing that this figure rises to 1,700 if we count health professionals or even divers who wear double hats. The 47 fire stations need volunteers, 41 are made up exclusively of volunteer firefighters. »
This need to recruit was hammered home everywhere during the last Sainte-Barbe ceremonies. In addition, the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (Sdis) must retain its troops and “strengthen availability during the dayhe adds. This is our biggest difficulty because two thirds of interventions take place during the day. We then look for people who have atypical schedules and we sign agreements with employers for secondments. »
The candidates wore helmets and bottles as part of one of the day's tests.
© (Photo NR, Maxime Chataigner)
Among the reasons for hope: you can now be a volunteer firefighter until the age of 67, thus pushing recruitment up to 62 and no longer 60. Also, in Deux-Sèvres, a reflection is underway to recruit from 17 years old, the law allowing it: it is today possible for the JSP (Young firefighters), not for the others.
-Saturday morning, diversity was (almost) respected. A satisfaction for Commander Gaillard. “Among the JSPs, we often achieve parity, women know that they can join ushe assures. We are inclusive, and we adapt: we also recruit according to people's wishes, some do not want to go to fires. »
Alongside Pierre, who came from Saint-Varent at the age of 25 and has a strong sensitivity to the uniform with a grandfather and firefighter relatives, Grégory embarked on the adventure. “If we can help others, so much the bettersmiles the forty-year-old trained at Bouillé-Loretz and whose daughter is JSP. I used to think that you needed greater physical abilities to be a volunteer, but no! » Léa (24 years old, Saint-Maixent-l'École) continues with a strong message. “I want to show that we are capable of surpassing ourselves every day, and that is also a challenge for me. I had an accident on the public highway, the firefighters were there for me, I owe them that. In my rehabilitation, that was the goal to be here. »
The next sessions will take place on Saturday May 24 and September 13, still in Parthenay.
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