Eric Ciotti, president of the Alpes-Maritimes department, presented his New Year’s wishes yesterday morning to the SDIS (Departmental Fire and Rescue Service). It was also an opportunity to review all the work done by the firefighters of the Alpes-Maritimes throughout the year 2015.
119,416 interventions in the Alpes-Maritimes
A record year for the SDIS. 119,416 is the number of interventions by firefighters throughout the department. Moreover, Éric Ciotti did not overlook this and made a point of highlighting their dedication and courage. “I want to express my full gratitude to the firefighters who had a hectic year,” he said yesterday in front of the SDIS headquarters.
It’s safe to say that in 2015, the Alpes-Maritimes were not spared by natural disasters. Everyone still remembers the terrible rains and floods of October 3rd. After 3 days of interventions, the SDIS carried out more than 3,000 operations to save 500 people.
Beyond these tragic events, the SDIS firefighters were also called upon to respond to road accidents and forest fires.
A feared year in 2016
For the past 2 years, the number of SDIS interventions has been increasing. And 2016 also promises to be a hectic year.
With the repetition of attacks on national territory (two attacks in less than a year), Éric Ciotti, President of the SDIS Board of Directors, has decided to take measures.
Thus, to be able to intervene at any time and respond to any danger, SDIS agents will be trained in the risks of biological and chemical attacks. “We have all learned lessons from the Paris attacks, particularly the Bataclan attack,” he confided yesterday.
Let’s still hope that such events will not be repeated in the future.
by Désiré Teivao
