Hessian firefighters on duty against devastating forest fires in France

Hessian firefighters on duty against devastating forest fires in France

In southwestern France, the forests are burning like never before. Severe wildfires have wreaked havoc in the Bordeaux region, the worst the country has seen in over 70 years. In the midst of these firefighting operations, Hessian firefighters are also on duty. 34 emergency services from various districts such as Hersfeld-Rotenburg, Fulda, Offenbach, Odenwald and Kassel have been on site since the end of July to support their French colleagues and at the same time gain important experience for future operations in Hesse. On Sunday night, platoon leader Jörn Häußler reported that 15 hectares of land, including 8 hectares of green space and 7 hectares of pine forest, had already fallen victim to the fire. Updates on the operations are published regularly on the Instagram channel of the Landesfeuerwehrschule Hessen.

The emergency services are fighting side by side with French firefighters and have successfully defended the right flank of the fire in particular. Previously, 9 hectares were affected in the adjacent area north of Fargues-Saint-Hilaire. The forest fires have already destroyed 13,000 hectares of land in the Aude department and it is therefore crucial to strengthen international firefighting channels, as Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck has also emphasized. “International cooperation in civil protection is of great importance,” he explained. This commitment not only underlines the idea of ​​solidarity, but also the need to learn from each other and exchange knowledge.

The long way to Bordeaux

The route to the operational area was not a walk in the park: the Hessian fire brigade had to take a 16-hour bus ride. They can also expect a rigorous training program with the local fire brigade on site to further hone their skills. During their 14-day stay, the Hessian firefighters spend the night in a boarding school and can thus optimally prepare for their missions. This mission as part of EU cooperation is a first for Hessian emergency services, which will from now on develop further in an international context.

An important aspect of this mission is the need for international exchange in fire management, as forest fire expert Lindon Pronto emphasizes. The DAAD alumnus has gained experience dealing with forest fires in various countries, including Congo and Indonesia. His knowledge of the international differences in fire management shows that it is essential to deal with fire responsibly. Pronto is committed to sharing best practices to advance fire technology strategies in Europe. “Fire is a central part of environmental protection,” he explains, “but there is often a lack of clear regulations and international protocols.”

The Hessian fire brigade not only has the task of fighting acute fires, but also contributes to strengthening international cooperation in the areas of civil protection and fire management. Their missions show how important it is to think across borders and learn from each other. In these challenging times, solidarity between nations is more in demand than ever, and the firefighters from Hesse have made a very special contribution with their commitment.