Are any of you Pompiers?

[Cat]

I've just been asked by the chief honcho pompier in our village if I would consider being a pompier.  They would like to recruit a few more women, and being able to speak English is seen as a bit of a bonus.  It's a volunteer force, and I already know quite a few of the pompiers as friends.  As there is no ambulance service nearby, our pompiers are usually the first emergency service called to road accidents. I used to be a first-aider in the UK, so am not too squeamish, but do wonder how I'd cope with the really awful stuff.

I said I'd think about it, and am now wondering if any of you are already volunteer firemen in France, and have any words of wisdom to impart?

[woolybananasbrother]

So what would you be called then? Pompierette, pompette or just pompières?

Seriously though, it needs a strong stomach as you suggest, but also physical strength aznd stamina.

But would you be taken seriously or just be seen as a token, there to make tea/coffee and flirt with???

Good idea though and it would help you integrate into the French community, Cat.[6]

[Kitty]

Go for it.  You will really be accepted as part of the community ..... and you'll get your photo on the annual calendar.

[Hoddy]

I'd say go for it too. Only you know how squeamish you are. I can't offer any information about France. My niece, a stunningly good looking woman, is a paramedic and finds that her sex doesn't come into it at all as long as she can do the job. Sadly, in England she was issued with steel toe-capped shoes and taught how to use them, I can't imagine that will be necessary in France.

I now expect to be accused of rose-tinted spectacles.

Hoddy

[britgirl]

Cat,

You have my full admiration. Go for it.

When we were in the U.K. the O.H. was a traffic officer and was very often the first to arrive at the scene. He always said that he went into 'auto-pilot' because he had to keep a cool head, until ambulance/fire crews arrived. They would take over and he would help in any way neded by them. The reality of what he had seen was best dealt with by talking it over with others who had been there . A sort of early self help group.

Sadly we have had to use the local pompiers for two 'blue light' runs, and the women were an integral part of the team. They had to help stretcher him downstairs. I never knew our stairs were so well made. It was also fascinating to watch, because they all had their specialised roles. Once he had been assessed any equipment not necessary was packed away, and the problem was dealt with. I'm sure you will have plenty of support and training.

Just checked the calender and we have 4 female pompiers.

Best of luck

[Patf]

Definitely go for it. There are a few women in our team too. You will probably have some training, so you should cope ok. I'm quite envious !

[Cendrillon]

[:)]WB said

"So what would you be called then? Pompierette, pompette" [:$]

 

Hopefully not pompette whilst on duty WB!

 

LOL

[Nickel]

Our local pompiers are a great bunch of guys ( using the modern interpretation of guys to include females!!) they do a wonderful job and I am sure you will enjoy the training and being  part of such a worthwhile team .

As for the "really awful stuff "- well it may sound "awful" to say but you will very soon become accustomed to that and whatever role you have will just take over.

So to echo everyone else - Go for it !!

[tel]

[quote user="Cat"]

I used to be a first-aider in the UK, so am not too squeamish, but do wonder how I'd cope with the really awful stuff.

[/quote]

Hi Cat,

Go for it, the really awful stuff is rare.  Can't speak for the Pompiers in France but spent 30 years Full time operational Firefighter in the UK

 

Regards

[gosub]

[quote user="Cendrillon"]

[:)]WB said

"So what would you be called then? Pompierette, pompette" [:$]

 

Hopefully not pompette whilst on duty WB!

 

LOL

[/quote]

A quick translation : p issed as a newt[:D]

[Maricopa]

Hi Cat

Have PM'd you.

[Cendrillon]

[quote user="gosub"][quote user="Cendrillon"]

[:)]WB said

"So what would you be called then? Pompierette, pompette" [:$]

 

Hopefully not pompette whilst on duty WB!

 

LOL

[/quote]

A quick translation : p issed as a newt[:D][/quote]

nah!

tipsy is the word[;-)]

[Tony F Dordogne]

Our local Brigade has three women in the team and one young woman in the trainee/apprentice group.

Just out of interest, Pompiers locally are offered counselling if they are traumatised by any of the incidents they attend, as are SAMU staff.

[woolybananasbrother]

I am seriously not so sure about the uniforms though. As a student of the female form and particulalry of those in uniform, I reckon that the uniform of the pyroladies makes their posteriors look bigger than say the uniform of a gendarmette but is not as bad as the douanes. Informed comments welcome.[6]

[mint]

So, Wooly, you're a "student of the female form"; fancy that.  I never knew that you attended live classes at the Slade.

[woolybananasbrother]

I had peeping rights. Actually, as a child in Africa such things were uninhibitedly on display and absolutely beautiful. Who needed the Slade?

[mint]

So, in future, I'll call you Tom as in Peeping and not T...

[FairyNuff]

Hi Cat

I'm not a pompier, but I am a secouriste with the French Red Cross.  I've done three courses so far (First Aid and radio comms).  I found them a challenge as my French still has a way to go to become fluent, but as I was a First Aider in Britain for many years and have a background of working in the NHS for 30 years, that helped with the terminology.  I have had nothing but encouragement and patience from everyone I have met since embarking on the adventure.  I am enjoying my duties with the local C-R F team, and have found that, like volunteers in Britain, they are genuinely happy to have help, whatever the nationality.  [geek]

FairyNuff

PS Go for it, Cat, but I think you have to be fairly fit to do the training. [blink] 

Callie, my next course is PSE2, is it as hard work as the PSE1?

[Callie]

Hi Cat - like Fairy Nuff, I'm not a pompier but a secouriste equipier for Protection Civile (like French Red Cross). We have the same diplome as the pompiers for working in a team (stretchers, oxygen etc) and can get called on to help if they're short-handed. If you're fit and enjoy meeting and helping people, then the Pompiers is just for you ! If i were younger, I'd certainly do it ! ! No, just don't ask. It's a brilliant way of putting something back into the community and really broadens your French knowledge.

Go for it !!!!!

[Callie]

Hi Fairy Nuff - the system has changed a little bit - I did PSE1 and PSE2 as one course. And yes, it was hard work and long days for two weeks. I think the idea of splitting it into 2 is better. I'm not quite sure how they have divided the 2 courses up. You'll probably find that the PSE2 will include some of what you have already done - particularly in the concrete cases ! We had a recyclage last year and found that quite a lot had changed - presumably for the better. Some material and techniques are no longer used and, of course, the major change was the RCP.

Did you do brancardage in PSE1? The new hard plastic boards are not as nice to hold as the 'splitting saucer' particularly if you have a hefty victim !

Cat, I LOVE what I do and envy you the chance to be a Pompier. As I said before, give it a go so you never have to look back and say "I wish I'd given it a go when I was younger and FITTER" ! Having been in a job in the UK which required me to attend accidents etc, you will find that good training takes over any squeamishness and you just get on and do the job. There are plenty of good moments too, and laughs ! biggrin.gif