Fires: Éric Ciotti calls for tribute to firefighters in all schools at the start of the school year

Following the fires that have affected France since mid-July, Éric Ciotti is asking the Minister of National Education, Édouard Geffray, to organize a time of tribute in schools, middle schools and high schools from September 2026 onwards. An initiative intended to honor the commitment of firefighters, transmit a sense of duty and encourage future vocations.

Will the fires affecting several French regions since mid-July find an echo in classrooms? In a letter addressed to the Minister of National Education, Éric Ciotti is requesting that a few hours be dedicated, from September 2026 onwards, to paying tribute to firefighters mobilized against forest fires. The initiative would concern all schools, middle schools and high schools across the country.

The deputy of the 1st constituency of the Alpes-Maritimes, mayor of Nice and president of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolitan Area has also presented this proposal on social media. “I wrote to the Minister of National Education: our schools must pay tribute to the firefighters of this summer. A nation that knows how to recognize its heroes presents them as examples to its children.”

In his letter, Éric Ciotti reflects on the consequences of the fires that struck the national territory. More than 42,000 hectares of forest were destroyed in Gironde and the Landes. Hundreds of buildings were damaged and nearly 260,000 people had to be evacuated. In his letter, the elected official also mentions the death of two firefighters in Mérignac on July 21, as well as the numerous injuries reported among personnel engaged on the various fronts.

In light of this situation, the president of the UDR group believes that “the Republic’s School cannot remain indifferent to this heroism.” With this in mind, the deputy asks the minister that “a few hours be dedicated, from September 2026 onwards, in all schools, middle schools and high schools in France, to raise awareness among our students about the battles fought by our firefighters.”

A tribute to transmit the spirit of commitment

The proposal pursues several objectives. The first consists of paying tribute to deceased firefighters and to all the women and men mobilized against fires. The second aims to remind young generations of the values of public service and commitment to the community.

In his letter, Éric Ciotti emphasizes that this sequence would make it possible to transmit “a sense of duty” and “a spirit of sacrifice.” The deputy also believes that this initiative could foster the emergence of new vocations, as the French civil security model relies largely on volunteer firefighters.

To make this awareness-raising concrete, in his letter sent in his capacity as deputy, he proposes to distribute to students photographs, videos and testimonies from firefighters who participated in operations to fight fires, with content validated by the National Education services. An exchange with students would complement this presentation in order to discuss the missions of firefighters and the challenges related to the protection of natural heritage.

In conclusion of his letter, Éric Ciotti believes that this measure would send a strong message to young generations. “This initiative, simple in its implementation, would carry a powerful message: that of a nation that knows how to recognize its heroes and present them as examples to its children”, concludes the deputy for the Alpes-Maritimes. The decision now rests with the Minister of National Education, Édouard Geffray, who will have to rule on this proposal before the school year begins.