Français
On Friday January 10, the new fire station of the Service territorial d'incendie et de secours (Stis) was inaugurated. The vast 2,800 square metre fire and rescue center houses state-of-the-art equipment. This Sunday, March 2, as announced at the inaugural ceremony, the public is invited to enter the fire station for an open day. It's an opportunity to take the measure of this brand-new structure, which has required an investment of 15.7 million euros by the Collectivité territoriale since the project was launched in 2015.
Visit, demonstrations and workshops
In addition to discovering the fire station, since "people will be able to wander around most of the premises", stresses Lieutenant Charmillon, activities and other demonstrations are included in the event program. Professional and volunteer firefighters (53 in all) will be putting on a number of "demos" throughout the day. From first aid (11am to 11:30am), to the Usar (Search and Rescue Unit, 2pm to 2:30pm) and, of course, fire (3:30pm to 4pm). There will also be introductory workshops in first aid," explains Lieutenant Charmillon, "as well as stands to explain how to become a firefighter, and others to demonstrate certain techniques. There will also be a demonstration on the maneuver tower. "The main aim is for visitors to be able to move freely around the rescue center, with their children in tow, as there will be a number of activities reserved for the little ones.
There have also been a lot of questions about the size of the buildings," notes Lieutenant Charmillon. This day is an opportunity to show that it's not just a fire station. "In fact, the structure also houses the Centre opérationnel territorial. This system is activated when there is a risk of a major crisis, such as the passage of a cyclone, to anticipate the potential crisis and bring together all the local, community and state emergency organizations. But the new fire station also includes a training tower, a live fire simulator, full computerization of the warning system, a new truck, a boat for the sea rescue unit, changing rooms and a new fire station.a new truck, a boat for the sea rescue unit, extensive changing rooms (male and female), an on-call room, a refectory, offices dedicated to the various departments (health subdirectorate, pôle direction, communication, etc.), accommodation rooms for night guards, a training room, a watch center with full cartography, a solar panel system to ensure almost total energy autonomy when on standby, and a large number of other facilities.And let's not forget the three ambulances without which, in the absence of an ambulance service on the island, the emergency services could not function properly.
Ten years from conception to inauguration
The project for the new fire station saw the light of day in 2015, under the presidency of Bruno Magras. After various consultation phases and an architects' competition, contracts began to be awarded in 2017. Just a few days before the devastating passage of Hurricane Irma... So we had to wait almost 18 months before the program was relaunched by the Collectivité. Then the companies were finally able to start work. Architect Véronique Bigeard, Architecture in Paradise, Dac Antilles, Itec and BY Ingénierie worked on the construction of the buildings. "Even if there were a number of reversals and upheavals in terms of the Collectivité's project management, the transition to the new governance has been quite smooth," assures Michel Maurel, president of Architecture in Paradise.
The former barracks, located across the street, now serves as a mechanical hub for the technical services. At least on the first floor. The Collectivité plans to install the territorial police station there, while maintaining a branch in Gustavia.
