Volunteer firefighters

On Tuesday firefighters were called to help people in the village. Local firefighters couldn't cope with so many places to deal with so others came from the nearest barracks to help pump water out, repair roofs, clean houses... They were all volunteer firefighters. In France about 80% of firefighters are volunteers.

In the village a group of firefighters was created around 1900. It was necessary because of fires happening quite often. Blocked chimneys, lightning, open fires caused more problems than nowadays.

Of course there was no engine to help. At the beginning firefighters only had buckets and inhabitants helped them to create a human chain, then they had a pump but buckets were still needed. The pump was pulled by men, or by horses in towns. They were already asked to be quick and efficient. When it became possible uniforms were ordered, thick and heavy and not really good when men had to fight against fire.

What a change after one century !

In France the motto of firefighters is Courage et Dévouement (Courage and Devotion).

Thanks to them.

Comments

[Kay Lamb]

Good Gaston is carrying on the tradition. Are they still getting an adaquit amount of volunteers or are the youth more interested in other things?

[Maryse]

It is ok for the number of volunteers but it seems they don't stay as many years as the "old ones".