Val-d’Issoire. Sainte-Barbe at the fire station: Captain and head of center Patrick Pailler decorated with the gold medal. The firefighters of the Mézières-sur-Issoire emergency center celebrated their Saint Barbara on Saturday, December 14. Wreath laying and awards ceremony marked this evening dedicated to their patron saint.
After a mass in the church of Mézières-sur-Issoire, everyone gathered in front of the stele erected in honor of the missing firefighters, in the courtyard of the barracks.
Family engagement
Speaking first, Anthony Depierrefixe, president of the association, recalled that 2024 had been the opportunity to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the barracks, “a strong moment in our history and the values that drive us”. He also underlined “the committed sharing with the population about the life of our profession and the demonstration of life-saving gestures made to the students of the schools of Nouic and Mézières-sur-Issoire, in order to transmit to young people the commitment of the sappers -firefighters”. Finally, he spoke about the two festive markets to showcase local products and exchanges with the population. A population that he thanked for the good reception given to the calendar.
Patrick Pailler, head of the rescue center, indicated that the intervention figures were more or less stable, and above all that commitment as a firefighter was the commitment of an entire family, that everyone must be aware of this. “Families who must be thanked for their availability. » He also emphasized the fact that in 70 years, the firefighters have been able to modernize and that they will continue to do so.
A difficult budget
Colonel Jean-Frédéric Delaume, deputy departmental director of Sdis, praised the 30 years of commitment of Captain Patrick Pailler, who is also responsible for development in Haute-Vienne. He underlined the difficult means following a constrained budget while at the department level, there are 6% additional interventions. The internal regulations of Sdis will soon be voted on as well as the amount of compensation.
Pascal Godrie, mayor of Val-d'Issoire, referring to Notre-Dame de Paris, recalled that in 1902, a fire had affected the church of Mézières-sur-Issoire, while Stéphane Veyriras, departmental councilor, expresses his admiration for Patrick Pailler. He spoke of the Department's search to find other funding for relief, in particular from private insurance, but affirmed that the departmental allocation would remain the same in 2025 for Sdis.
Finally, Françoise Slinger-Cecotti, sub-prefect of Bellac, congratulated the firefighters and their families for their commitment, the promotions, the medalists and the 2024 graduates. Especially Patrick Pailler. After the presentation of these awards, the evening ended with a friendly drink.
Awards
Medals of honor for firefighters: to Patrick Pailler, gold level for 30 years of service, and vermeil level with rosette for exceptional service; silver level (20 years) to Gaël Morgat, Benoît Raynaud and Damien Villeger; bronze level (10 years) to Fabrice Lasnier. Stanislas Godrie rises to the rank of chief sergeant, Claire Dintrat to that of corporal and Gauthier Vanhoutte to that of sapper 1 re class.
