On the screens at the back of the room, this Thursday, May 23, we see the bearers of the Olympic flame running in front of a compact crowd, massed along the streets of Bordeaux. The Departmental Operational Center (COD), placed under the authority of the prefect…
On the screens at the back of the room, this Thursday, May 23, we see the bearers of the Olympic flame running in front of a compact crowd, massed along the streets of Bordeaux. The Departmental Operational Center (COD), placed under the authority of Prefect Étienne Guyot, mobilizes around thirty representatives of the internal security forces, police and gendarmes but also CRS, firefighters, the Prefecture Security Directorate, army, the organizing operator of the Olympic Games as well as representatives of Bordeaux-Métropole, Keolis, the ARS and civil protection.
“This is a crisis unit,” explains the prefect. We are in a security dimension in the sense of protection and vigilance of an exceptional event. A connection is established with all services in real time. »
React very quickly
On the ground, 1,100 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters worked together to ensure the day went smoothly.
At the Mériadeck police headquarters, the Mosovo room [maintien de l’ordre et voyages officiels, NDLR] is in permanent contact with the COD under the supervision of Emmanuel Morin, interdepartmental director of the national police (DIPN). The same goes for the Operations and Intelligence Center (CORG) of the gendarmerie group led by General Loïc Baras. “We have live images from the city’s video protection cameras but also those broadcast from a drone as well as from the gendarmerie helicopter,” indicates the prefect.
“The information comes back live from the field for decision-making,” explains Justin Babilotte, chief of staff of the prefect. We must be able to react very quickly. »
Some 250 firefighters are present throughout the route, ready to intervene as close as possible to the flame or in support of volunteers from Civil Security associations. “Participating in the passing of the flame is an event that no one wants to miss,” comments Colonel Éric Jouanne, deputy departmental director of the fire department.
In Gironde, only the rain somewhat disrupted the party.
