During a press conference this Monday morning, Éric Ciotti, head of the UDR list allied with the RN, announced the arrival of Lieutenant Colonel of the Fire Brigade Olivier Riquier to his team for the municipal elections. In the event of a victory, the SDIS executive will be responsible for matters of local issues, citizenship, and civil security.
Éric Ciotti officially welcomed Olivier Riquier to his list at a press conference this morning. He specified that the Lieutenant Colonel would be “deputy mayor in charge of a delegation for local issues, citizenship, and civil security”.
The candidate emphasized his background and experience. “He is a renowned and respected leader,” stated the candidate for mayor of Nice, mentioning “his leadership skills”. According to him, Olivier Riquier possesses “human qualities” and a sense of teamwork.
A career rooted in Nice
Éric Ciotti reminded of his running mate’s Nice origins. “Olivier is deeply Niçois [from Nice],” asserts the president of the Union of the Right. Born in 1969 in Nice, he comes from a family of firefighters and grew up in Old Nice.
Having joined the fire brigade in 1988, he became a captain in 1996, a commander in 2001, and then a lieutenant colonel in 2010. Olivier Riquier led the Nice company between 2012 and 2019 and has held the position of territorial deputy director in charge of operations since 2019.
The Niçois is also a teacher at the National School of Fire Officers and lectures at the university. The future deputy holds a master’s degree in law, a DEA in political science, and is a graduate of Sciences Po Aix.
An experience marked by crises
The candidate highlighted the involvement of Olivier Riquier during major situations. He reminded that he was the rescue operations commander during the July 14, 2016 attack in Nice.
Olivier Riquier also led interventions during the fire at the Castagniers camp in 2017. “He commanded major rescue operations,” Éric Ciotti emphasized.
The lieutenant colonel also participated in organizing security for the G20 summit in Cannes and in developing risk prevention plans in the Alpes-Maritimes.
A delegation focused on local issues
Éric Ciotti wants to entrust Olivier Riquier with a role as a link between the city hall and residents. “He will be the contact for neighborhood committees,” he explained.
The candidate also supports the idea of local consultations. “Every decision must require a phase of consultation,” referring to the establishment of municipal referendums.
In his intervention, Olivier Riquier confirmed this orientation. “Restoring neighborhood committees to their rightful place in the decision-making process” is, according to him, a priority.
A project focused on citizenship
Citizenship constitutes the second part of his future mission. Olivier Riquier wishes to create a “citizen path” for young people from Nice.
This program includes meetings with state representatives, police officers, and firefighters, to impart “republican values”.
The new running mate also advocates for the development of voluntary engagement. “We want to value their commitment,” by offering a bonus of 300 euros for certain volunteers, explains the firefighter.
Training the population in civil security
Civil security represents the third axis of the project. Éric Ciotti wishes that “half of the Niçois population” be trained in first aid by the end of his mandate, if victorious in March.
Olivier Riquier shares this goal. “100% of municipal and metropolitan staff” could be trained in first aid. The running mate also aims for the training of 50% of residents in six years.
He also plans informational actions on risks, with a mobile vehicle at markets and local educational videos. Crisis exercises involving residents could also be organized in certain neighborhoods.
An experienced team presented
In conclusion, Éric Ciotti presented this arrival as an asset for his campaign. “Nice deserves the best,” he affirmed.
The UDR deputy believes that his team possesses “the competence and experience” necessary to govern the city. The candidate also reiterated his priorities, notably the strengthening of the municipal police and the reduction of local taxes.
