Page 161 - Archived Back Issues

FIREFIGHTERS NEWS
Visit to Ypres 2014
Peter Hopkins along with a number of WCoFF members, is involved through the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, in planning a special trip to Flanders Field for the special ceremonies to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of World War1. For four long years Flanders Fields was the scene of the First World War. Homes and fields were turned into a battlefield in 1914. European and wider international interests were fought over.
A million soldiers were wounded, missing or killed in action. Some tens of thousands of citizens became refugees. Entire cities and villages were destroyed.
They will be travelling from Kent to Kotrijk via Poperinge and will attend the service on 11th November at Ypres where, since 1929, the Last Post has been sounded at the Menin Gate Memorial every night at 8:00 pm and in all weathers: the only exception to this was during the four years of the German occupation (WW2) of Ypres.
If anyone would like further information, please contact Peter. He will be reporting on the event in a later issue.
Pellegrue Fire Brigade
Peter has also been developing relationships between the WCoFF and some French fire fighting colleagues. He has submitted the following contact note from the Pellegrue Fire Brigade
We have some 21 fire fighters, all volunteers: one of the local district nurses is also affiliated to the fire brigade
The area covered by the brigade is very rural, consisting of scattered villages and hamlets and often isolated farmhouses and cottages. We look after eleven communes (villages and their outlying areas), the most distant at 11 kms. We also cover some 20 other communes as back-up in the event of a major incident or if the local brigade responsible is already out on a call. We can also be called anywhere in the department of the Gironde or even neighbouring departments should circumstances require it.
The nature of our work is first response to sudden illness or accident, road accidents, fires, rescue of animals, sea or river rescues, pollution incidents, floods, spillages, clearing roads (eg after a storm, the firemen will be out with chain saws dealing with fallen trees).
Our volunteers must be at least 18 and live in the area served. They must pass a recruitment panel (fitness tests, interview, medical examination) and successful candidates undertake 12 days of first aid training, 9 hours of theory at the fire station, 10 days training in fire fighting and general emergency training: other theoretical training to be done on line.
Regular exercises are carried out to refresh and reinforce. At least 4 hours a month must be spent at the fire station.
Equipment:
1 ambulance - 3 man crew
1 CCF (Camion Citerne Feux Forets) - a tanker lorry for dealing with forest fires - this holds 3000 litres of water, a winch plus other equipment and a 2 man crew
1 general purpose vehicle (VTU) carrying pumps, chainsaws generator and various other tools - 2 or 3 man crew
1 vehicle for intervention in road accidents, etc, carrying 3000 litres of water, foam, cutting and lighting gear, ladders - 4 or 6 man crew
1 light first aid vehicle (VLS) carrying oxygen, defibrillator etc Sundry reserve pumps, pipes etc - 2 man crew
The brigade responds to approximately 500 calls a year.
We also have a Junior Fire Brigade. This programme has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. For 3 years students attend 2 hours a week of practical and theoretical courses in fire-fighting and first aid at school, then for one year at the fire station. They also have one hour a week of specially adapted physical training with a qualified instructor. The Junior Fire Brigade parade with their seniors on certain dates when they always look very smart.
Hello and welcome to Pellegrue Fire Brigade. My name is Oliviere Frattini and I am the Fire Chief for the station. We are situated in a small village south east of the city of Bordeaux. Some of you may know our region by the local wine of Entre de Mer.
(Translation from French thanks to Carolyn Murphy)
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