how are these residents trained to protect their forest?

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HAS Campénéac (Morbihan)the volunteers of the red caps system of the municipalities ofAugan, Beignon, Campénéac, Concoret, Loyat, Néant-sur-Yvel, Paimpont and Tréhorenteuc met for a symbolic morning.

The event, marked by the signing of the mission letter and the official presentation of the chasubles, brought together elected officials, representatives of SDIS 56 and the Val sans retou preservation associationr as well as Claire Liétard, sub-prefect of Morbihan.

Disaster-trained volunteers

This system, created by Paul Ancelin to respond to the fires of 1990, relies on volunteers trained to intervene in the event of a natural disaster. There are currently around sixty of them.

Under the authority of mayors, the red caps are part of a intercommunal civil security reservealso mobilizing local farmers and their equipment.

“It is a privileged moment which binds us in the protection of this legendary natural space and which unites us all,” declared Hania Renaudie, mayor of Campénéac.

“I would like us to always have a monitoring eye on the forest,” declared André Eon, vice-president of the association for the preservation of the Valley of No Returnbefore detailing the updating of the system and the content of the mission letter.

Prevention and logistical support

Alongside farmers and firefightersthe red caps play a key role in the protection of the Brocéliande massif.

Identified by their new official outfits and badges, these volunteers are trained to intervene in a coordinated and secure manner.

Their main missions include:

• Monitoring sensitive areas to prevent fires and quickly identify hazards.
• Information and public awareness on good practices, such as banning smoking, respecting marked trails or banning campfires.
• Direction of emergency services to speed up the intervention of firefighters and limit damage in the event of a disaster.
• Logistical support: management of reception points, traffic control and assistance with the evacuation of residents if necessary.
• Post-disaster monitoring, with a mission to monitor fire outbreaks and provide information on access restrictions to affected areas.

The red caps are there to watch and intervene quickly, but always within the framework defined by the town hall and the emergency services and without individual initiative.

Strengthened collaboration with firefighters

The coordination with firefighters is at the heart of the system.

Local farmers, equipped with suitable equipment such as tractors and cultivators, are mobilized to support relief operations. They can, for example, revitalize water points, treat borders or create firebreaks.

A specific officer of the SDIS 56 supervises these interventions to ensure smooth integration within the rescue teams. Renewed training, the inventory of resources and the increased visibility of volunteers allow us to look to the future with serenity.

“I am impressed by the organization and mobilization. It is an ambitious system based on goodwill. It is essential to face the risks,” welcomed Claire Liétard.

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