- In Strasbourg, during New Year's Eve, 220 vehicles were set on fire in different parts of the city.
- “Watchful ambushes” were stretched to the firefighters on certain interventions.
- 20 Minutes takes stock with Thierry Carbiener, president of the Bas-Rhin departmental fire and rescue service (Sdis 67).
Should the police now systematically supervise firefighters' interventions? In Strasbourg, New Year's Eve was particularly violent with nearly 220 vehicles burnt down in different districts of the agglomeration, in particular in the Cronenbourg sector. A night so violent that firefighters, for the first time, feared for their lives, according to Thierry Carbiener, president of the departmental fire and rescue service of Bas-Rhin (Sdis 67).
20 Minutes takes stock with him of this unprecedented situation which leaves its mark and which should lead to a reflection on the interventions.
How do the firefighters who intervened during Christmas Eve feel?
Morale is affected. I was there that night and they faced a very dangerous situation. They were very scared. They fell into ambushes stretched with throwing stones, projectiles… A crew even underwent an attempt at lynching. A gang of young people even attacked them with chains and crowbars while trying to open the truck. Fortunately, the driver was able to back up and escape. One has stitches. Psychologically for them, it's very hard. You become a firefighter to help the population, not to be attacked.
Has this violence become commonplace?
On a daily basis, firefighters have become targets. They happen to be insulted and attacked unfortunately, it has become regular. In early December, there was an increase in incivility. But usually, it is rather the material that is targeted. Except that this New Year's Eve, we attacked the life of the firefighters and some are cracking.
What have you planned to help the firefighters affected by this violence?
We have set up psychological support. Sdis 67 has two psychologists who are available to firefighters. We also have doctors, nurses and pharmacists. We are therefore able to help them. There are also regular points with the supervision and the incredible solidarity between firefighters. It must be said.
Will we have to get used to the police escorting the firefighters in response?
Violence is a very important subject for us. As we have seen, alas, once again during the night of December 31, the firefighters face physical violence. The more so as certain attackers film the scenes of violence. Firefighters may then fear possible reprisals. Some have already expressed their wish to no longer intervene in certain areas. However, we must continue our public service mission despite everything. The police are already accompanying us on certain interventions. We are also experimenting with bringing in a police commissioner and a fire officer on sensitive interventions to better manage the situation. This system shows encouraging results. We can regret arriving at such extremes but the safety of firefighters must be ensured.
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- New Year
- Fire
- Firefighters
- Aggression
- Violence
- Strasbourg
- Society