In the garage, or parked in front, there are all types of vehicles, ready to go. Ambulances, truck with large ladder, or vehicle specialized in depollution. North-east of Toulouse, the new Haute-Garonne fire station has been operational since July 25. It is positioned very close to Boulevard d’Atlanta, on the edge of the ring road, not far from Gramont and the Roseraie.
With 73 professionals and 46 volunteersfirefighters are now involved in part of Toulouse but also in nearby towns : Launaguet, Union, Mons, Pin-Balma, Flourens. Also part of Aucamville, Fonbeauzard, Balma, and Drémil-Lafage.
At the head of this rescue center, Commander Thierry Sigwald, who opens many doors to make the visit. On the ground floor, the administrative offices, the changing rooms, the kitchens and the refectory. The alert room, which receives the missions of the SDIS (Departmental Fire and Rescue Service) of Haute-Garonne. And then of course the garage, with the cleverly parked vehicles.
For the moment, the rescue center is experiencing calm activity. The people of Toulouse have gone on vacation, and the firefighters are less in demand. This allows them to adjust their operation, and their speed in the event of an alert. “What needs to be refined now is the routine, finding the benchmarks. The goal is efficiency, which is then reflected in the quality of the relief“explains Commander Sigwald.
Optimal working conditions
And everything has been thought out to be effective, as soon as the alert is received. “The barracks are now optimal, both in terms of operation and occupation of the premises” explains Lieutenant Guillaume Borragini, duty officer at the Atlanta barracks. He also explains that if the path of the rescuers is drawn for speed when leaving for intervention, it is also on the way back: “when you come back from a fire, you can be soiled by smoke and soot. And so we have a “clean/dirty” circuit for equipment, which allows us to be able to reintegrate the workforce in good condition”.
– Mathieu FERRI
As for the quality of life in the barracks, it has also taken a step forward, explains the lieutenant: “We have 40 rooms which allow us to all have a place to rest. We have a gym that allows us to maintain our physical condition. It may sound weird, but yes, it’s part of our job to maintain our physical condition.“.
“It’s not a firefighter’s paradise, but it looks like it!“, rejoices the officer.
