WAS_SafetyFirst_6_EN

She works 24-hour shifts on the so-called SMUR vehicles in Marseille (SMUR stands for Service Mobile d'Urgence et de Réanimation, mobile emergency and resuscitation service). The BMPM's intensive care ambulance teams consist of an emergency doctor, a state-certified military nurse such as Clé- mentine and a firefighter from the navy, who has usually also trained as a paramedic and drives the vehicle. They are usually accompanied and supported by a VSAV ambulance (Véhicule de Secours et d'Asssistance aux Victimes). Three of the seven SMUR intensive care ambulances for the rescue service in Arrondissement 13 (Bouches-du-Rhône) are provided by the BMPM. As the second largest city in France with a population of over 870,000, Marseille offers a range of operations that is as varied as it is unusual. The SMUR missi- ons take place in both urban and suburban areas, by the sea, in wooded areas such as the Calanques or in the narrow streets of Le Panier, Marseille's oldest neighbourhood. The high urban density, the different areas of operation and the constant development of the city with numerous construction sites place high demands on the vehicles and their manoeuv- rability. Accordingly, Clémentine and her team were particu- larly keen to combine the versatility of their emergency vehic- les with slim external dimensions. Strong fleet for the Olympic Games With the procurement of 3 WAS 500 IRTWs in the spring, the BMPM realised the desired vehicle concept in close coopera- tion with the WAS project managers. Just in time for the Olym- pic Games, with the expected increased deployment volume, Clémentine and her team can offer the residents and tourists of their city the usual high safety standards with brand new emer- gency vehicles. The history of the Bataillon Marine Pompier Marseille Since 1810, fire protection in the harbour city has mainly been provided by the Marseille Municipal Fire Corps (CMSP). It was only after the serious fire at the Nouvelles Galeries on the Canebière in October 1938, in which firefighters from Toulon also came to the rescue, that the need was recognised to set up a specialised unit that could deal with the challenges even more effectively. As a result, the Marseille Naval Base Fire Brigade Battalion was founded in 1939 to protect the seaport. The BMPM is set up as a military unit under the authority of the French Navy, but fulfils the tasks of a regular fire brigade. These include, of course, the mobile rescue service and protecting the city from fires, but also disaster relief and operations in water. What is different is that, as soldiers, the BMPM firefighters are also involved in support operations for the armed forces and are therefore likely to have more experience abroad than firefighters from other locations. The military structures are a perfect match for the efficient organisation of the fire protection and rescue service: since its foundation, the BMPM has become one of the largest and most renow- ned fire brigade units in France, known for its professionalism, expertise and commitment to public safety in the Marseille region. Satisfied faces at the handover of 3 WAS 500 I-RTWs. 15