Almost every day since Wednesday July 13, firefighters from Vienne or Deux-Sèvres have been mobilized as reinforcements on the fires in Gironde. But our two departments are also threatened by flames and drought. Deux-Sèvres is even classified as a severe risk for fires. “We face all the risks”assures Marie-Jeanne Bellamy, vice-president of the Vienne Department and president of the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (Sdis). “No rescue service sends firefighters without ensuring that there are enough professionals, volunteers, and vehicles, to manage any emergency on the spot”.
The State finances this solidarity between departments
The SDIS are notably financed by the departments. “In this kind of situation, everything is planned for cooperation, explains the vice-president of the Vienne department. Our forces and our vehicles are deployed, but the State bears the cost.” An essential device she recalls because one day Poitou could also need help.