France’s first channel broadcast a report on Thursday on the firefighters of the Pyrénées-Orientales.
This is a brigade that operates in a decidedly dry territory that is prone to fires. In the Pyrénées-Orientales, the firefighters of the SDIS 66 have already started a season that is shaping up to be “high risk” this year again, according to Prefect Thierry Bonnier. And for good reason, the risk of fires is increasing at the same rate as the water deficit in the Catalan territory (still in a crisis situation as of June 28, 2024 for water resources, whether drinking, surface or underground).
Faced with a situation which is becoming sadly usual (900 vegetation fires per year), an increasing fire risk (15,000 hectares of dead or dying wood surface as of May 1, 2024) and the reduction in supply points, the SDIS adapts. In addition to the recruitment of 500 salaried and volunteer firefighters over the next two years, technical resources are also being strengthened: two water bomber helicopters can be mobilized as reinforcements this year (compared to one until now), as can the water bomber aircraft. Horus observation.
A report in the 8 p.m. news on TF1
Above all, firefighters are increasingly required to carry out missions aimed at preventing fires and becoming more efficient. A change in tasks that is working, as shown in this report produced by the TF1 teams for the 8pm news on Thursday 27 June.
The report allows you to understand the technical and technological developments of the SDIS 66, particularly in the air. On the ground, nearly 500 vehicles (emergency vehicles, tankers, vans, etc.) are also available to the firefighters.
