Corporal Marie Arris is not the type to talk about her life. A woman of action, she shows some reluctance to step out of her reserve. But if this interview becomes an opportunity for her to break stereotypes, why not? There are plenty of preconceived notions.
At the Magnan barracks, the largest in Nice, there are five women with permanent positions vying for a field role. Navigating this male-dominated environment, one might be tempted to assume the machismo that the so-called “weaker” sex might occasionally suffer. Let’s set the record straight right away: this is not the case. “I am a firefighter, no more, no less, we are all on an equal footing.” Besides, officially, there are no different rules regarding the tasks assigned to female firefighters. Never a comment, an insinuation, nothing? Impassive, Marie Arris confirms. “Yes, but never mean or disrespectful.”
She leads a team of men without showing the slightest hesitation. “Above all, we are a team. The leader doesn’t have many orders to give. You just have to prove yourself, show that you can handle it.” One of her subordinates confirms: “Whether she is a man or a woman, it’s the same, on the field, we must give our best. She has proven it.” Marie Arris adds that it is impossible to prevent someone, for any reason, from heading out on a mission: the assignments are delivered by a computer that beeps the firefighter randomly, based on their schedule.
However, a caveat is raised by Chief Adjutant Philippe Municchi. While reaffirming his respect for the young woman, he admits that being in the minority, women have to strive harder to fit in. “In emergencies, we are all on equal footing, but we try as much as possible to avoid having women carry heavy objects.” But Marie Arris is not one to accept gallantry from her colleagues. She refuses any preferential treatment.
The uniform conceals it, but this woman is built like an athlete. And for good reason: at a young age, she engaged in sports as others might into a magic potion. In secondary school, she chose sport studies. Swimming, judo, running, she participated in competitions. “I’ve always been drawn to unconventional jobs: either the army or firefighting.” Choosing the latter, she passed the appropriate exam (junior high school level) in her region, Midi-Pyrénées. Her initially skeptical family eventually accepted her choice. The exams are tough: general culture, interview, and especially rigorous physical activity. “Today, the exam places more value on the written part. As a professional, I don’t see why.”
But this certificate isn’t enough. She still has to sell herself, demonstrate her motivation. When the Alpes-Maritimes department selects her application, another sporting event awaits her. At this stage, candidates join the training school in Cagnes-sur-Mer, where they are trained in both theory and practice for three and a half months. Until that day in March 2001, when she joined the Vence barracks. A post she left after three years. Why? “Too quiet, at Magnan, there are many more interventions.” Leaving this too laid-back barracks brings the corporal closer to what truly excites her: the field. “The surprise, not knowing what you’re going to encounter, all while being able to act quickly and effectively.”
Firefighting: a unique job, to say the least. It’s a lifestyle far from a typical office day. At the barracks, the shift lasts 24 hours. A shift, besides being interrupted by emergency calls (mainly at night), is filled with collective tasks and sports activities. Marie Arris prefers action to words. She thus returns to doing pull-ups. The schedule stipulates two hours a day at the barracks gym, but free time is often dedicated to this same activity.
Marie Arris has no career plans. “I’ve been permanent only for five years. But what I’m sure of is that I will stay on the field for as long as possible. Of course, I’d like to have children and perhaps become an officer, but I don’t want to return to the field messing things up because I’m out of practice.”
She won’t discuss her interventions. Rescues, fires, floods… a job that leaves a mark. “At the time, you don’t think, there’s no time to realize. So, what you see comes back to you, much later.” She remembers the “memorable” summer of 2003 in the Var, which was particularly tough in terms of fires.
The firefighters are currently on strike (Reference: “Firefighters: Anger Has Its Reasons…” Nice Première, September 17: [https://www.nicepremium.fr/article/pompiers-la-colere-a-ses-raisons…..1120.html](https://www.nicepremium.fr/article/pompiers-la-colere-a-ses-raisons…..1120.html)).
