Nîmes: a national day of firefighters marked by distinctions and emotion

On the Esplanade, then in front of the war memorial in the Square du 11-Novembre, a strong tribute was paid to the volunteer and professional firefighters of the Gard.

As part of National Firefighters Day, a two-stage ceremony took place this Saturday, June 25 in the morning on the Esplanade, then at the war memorial in the Square du 11-Novembre. After the honor to the flag and a review of the troops, distinctions (medals of honor, internal security) were awarded for the exceptional commitment of several firefighters.

The prefect of Gard Marie-Françoise Lecaillon thus paid this tribute, but also the president of the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service Alexandre Pissas, the new deputies National Rally Nicolas Meizonnet, Yoann Gillet and Pascale Bordes, municipal and departmental councilors.

They thus executed the symbolic delivery of helmets to new recruits of volunteer firefighters promotion 2022 and professionals who completed their training in 2021.

20 professionals recruited in October 2022

During this ceremony, Jean-Michel Langlais, director of Sdis du Gard, was promoted to the rank of general controller. After the distinctions, it is the emotion that then prevailed during the tribute paid to the firefighters who died in service ordered to the war memorials.

But the ceremony also allowed the director of Sdis Alexandre Pissas to pass a few messages during his speech. After a reminder of the Sdis budget of 110 to 120 M€, the contributions of the municipalities and that of the Department (10 M€), he reiterated his wish to see the 15-18 common platform project (Samu and firefighters): “There is an urgent need to do so. Other departments on the Mediterranean coast have successfully implemented it.”

Alexandre Pissas did not fail to highlight volunteering “by extending it to institutions and in partnership with companies” and professional firefighters, the quality of the 92 candidates who passed the competition before knocking on the door of Sdis 30. “I will receive them one by one, one by one. We will recruit 20 professionals in October 2022.” The Sdis does not refrain from continuing its effort in the future.

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