French wildfires inspire rise in volunteer pompiers

France’s major wildfires this summer have led to a surge in applications from people wanting to become volunteer firefighters.

In Bouches-du-Rhône, Captain Stéphane Trinci knows that journey from the inside: he started as a junior firefighter, became a volunteer, then a professional, and now helps to recruit volunteers himself.

“When people see these kinds of fires on television, they feel concerned. They want to be useful,” he told The Connexion.

“It has been a summer with a high level of operational activity.

“There have been numerous wildfires across the Mediterranean region, but also in other parts of France.

“These are very dynamic operations because a forest fire can evolve extremely quickly, particularly when the weather conditions aren’t favourable and there is strong wind.”

'Constraints and sacrifices'

Major fires have affected departments including Gironde, Var, Landes and Drôme, while crews have also been called upon to reinforce firefighting units elsewhere.

“We went to support colleagues in other departments because they needed reinforcements,” Captain Trinci said, describing this as part of a wider “national solidarity” between France’s fire and rescue departments.

Firefighting has been part of Mr Trinci’s life from an early age.

“My father and uncles were volunteer firefighters,” he said. “The desire to become a firefighter came from them.”

As a teenager, he joined the young firefighters programme. When he reached the legal age, he became a volunteer, all while continuing his studies. He eventually completed a master’s degree in public law and went on to become a professional firefighter, spending his entire career with his local Service départemental d’incendie et de secours, SDIS 13.

Now, having made the journey himself, he helps others take the first step.

“Being a volunteer firefighter is a freely chosen civic commitment. It’s something you do alongside your studies, a professional career, or alongside other things in life.”

Duty and on-call schedules are organised according to the volunteer’s availability. There is no national minimum, and each department sets its own expectations. For example, the Yvelines fire service says it would like volunteers to do at least 24 hours of on-call duty a month.

“It’s something you have to discuss with your family because it involves constraints and sacrifices,” said Mr Trinci.

Volunteer firefighters are paid an hourly allowance for call-outs and training: from €8.77 an hour.

Lasting engagement

While the wildfires have prompted many people to consider volunteering, Mr Trinci is not sure how long the enthusiasm will last.

“It’s difficult to say. We don’t yet have enough information to know whether it will continue over time.”

Lieutenant Ludovic Goblet, of the Somme departmental fire and rescue service, is similarly cautious.

An influx of applications is welcome, he said, “but the number of people who will remain with us at the end is another matter”.

“We need to know how much time people will actually be able to give,” he added, pointing out that the reality of being a firefighter extends beyond the dramatic summer fires.

“Forest fires are a period of the year when there is intense demand, but throughout the rest of the year there are also road accidents, cardiac arrests and house fires.”

The challenge now is to turn the interest generated by the fires into lasting engagement.

At SDIS 13, candidates are informed about the reality of the role before they join. “Nothing is hidden. The rules of the game are explained,” Mr Trinci said.

Applicants must be at least 16 years old and pass medical and physical assessments to confirm they are fit for the role.

It is open to both French and foreign nationals. Volunteers make an initial five-year commitment and complete training, lasting around 30 days, over the first one to three years. Applications are made through the local departmental fire and rescue service.