Rescue societies: the Angels Guardian Volunteers of Lake Geneva

In 2024, 1353 people and 687 boats were rescued on the waters of Lake Geneva. rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new Furthermore, In other words, more than three people a day. For example, Who performs this performance rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new at an often vital issue? Therefore, Few people know it, but we owe it to volunteers, who do miracles in the shadows.

These volunteers are the Léman rescuers. For example. Nevertheless, gathered under the banner of the International Léman Rescue Company (SISL) And its 34 sections all around the lake. Consequently, Their mission has been the same for a hundred. In addition. Meanwhile. Similarly, forty years: bring as quickly as possible help or assistance to browsers in difficulty and, to the extent of their means, bring back the damaged boats Or that can no longer navigate independently.

One might think that this investment of rescuers mobilizable 24 hours a day is funded by the authorities. However, it is not. Additionally, However, rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers For example, “We live thanks to the contributions of our members. Consequently. Moreover, to donations. to support entities such as Romande lottery And the income of demonstrations, ”explains Lionel rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new Rochat, current president of Morges rescue.

Her company can, for example, count on the income of the stand she holds at the Paléo Festival. Meanwhile, But keeping rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new your budget at balance is a work of every moment. Similarly, “It’s almost 90% of the president to hit the doors to find sponsors and support.”

Rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new

Rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new

Rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers

Finances. In addition. the nerve of the rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers war of rescue

As the rescue is not under the aegis of the canton. the latter is not required to finance it. However, “We had to fight and now he gives us 130,000 francs to share between 20 Vaud sections. Meanwhile, It’s been 6. Consequently. 500 rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new francs per year. it barely covers our fuel costs, ”regrets Philippe Bonzon, member of the central committee of the SISL.

These costs have been debated at the national level three years ago. For example, Olivier Feller. Furthermore. PLR national advisor had tabled a motion So that rescue companies can benefit from a discount on taxes assigned to fuels. as is the case in agriculture, professional fishing and even lady of ski slopes. Therefore, The vote had resulted in a refusal.

Rescuers but volunteers above all

But how is it possible that security on Lake Geneva depend on volunteers? For example, “We are recognized by the right to intervene. For example, the power plant calls us, but there is nothing in the law that obliges us,” explains Philippe Bonzon. Moreover, rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new Other cantons have inscribed this principle in their law. In addition, Not vaud. “

A legal vagueness that could be explained by the genesis of rescue companies. “The idea was born from sailors. has been set up. has been working for a hundred. forty years, rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new so it suits the state of being able to rest on us,” adds Olivier Durgniat, president of Sisl. If he had to ensure and finance rescue positions himself, it would cost millions. ”

In the meantime. the members of the Lake Geneva companies are forced to alternate between emergency rescue on the lake. rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new sale of sausage in demonstrations to ensure the sustainability of an unknown. but capital, in particular with the appearance in recent years of popular activities such as Paddle, Foil or Wakesurf. “Since the Covid, there are more and more people who got closer to the lake,” confirms Olivier Durgniat. Before it was only navigators who knew their environment. now they are people rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers who do not necessarily rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new master the lake and security measures. It mobilizes us more. ”

Like volunteer firefighters. it is therefore superheroes without capes, the rescuers, who offer their time to make Lake Geneva a secure place. “We are not even completely volunteers since we pay a subscription,” says Philippe Bonzon. Passionate volunteers who, after a hundred and forty years of existence, are more essential than ever.

Rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new

Rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new

Rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers

Structured volunteer training

It is not because the rescuers invest free of charge that the training given to them. is taken lightly. on the contrary. Arrived at the central committee of the SISL in 2023, Philippe Bonzon resumed the Training reins. “Lots of work was already done, but it was rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new a bit of his side. I tried to bring a structure. We rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers are now organizing our training on three levels: in sections. on a regional scale and centralized. ”

A newcomer in a local section – a foam – will receive basic training including learning the use of radio. certain types of knots, bag throwing and ropes, towing and safety principles during navigation. Once his test is successful, he becomes a full member, but will continue his training. “This rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new is where we decided to coordinate between sections,” continues Philippe Bonzon. This increases the cohesion of different societies and facilitates the exchange of experiences and the interoperability of stakeholders. ”

The rescuers are thus divided into seven training zones. “We invest financially to have training members, who, then, can set off their knowledge for free. This is all the interest and it allows us to continue. Without that, we simply would rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new not have the means to finance everyone’s learning. rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers Same with the very expensive training equipment that can be shared. ”

Because qualitative training is an essential business card for recruitment, according to its manager. “It is increasingly difficult to find people to intervene by day, because employers do not always agree to release them.” A difficulty that companies try to counter by seeking to reach a wide variety of professions. including those with more flexible times.

Rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new

Rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new

Rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers

A drama encouraged the creation. of the Léman rescue company

It is at the end of the 19th. century^e century that the idea of a rescue society on Lake Geneva was born. It is a pilot and captain of Thonon steam boats, Joseph Mégemond, who launches this project. “He noted that there were quite sinking. people in difficulty on the lake already at the time,” says Olivier Durgniat, president of the Sisl. He therefore decided to create the Society of rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new Lac Lake Geneva. Rhône and Arve. Unfortunately, he was better rescuer that manager and his company quickly fell. ”

But a drama will put him back in the saddle and consolidate him in his idea. On November rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers 23, 1883, Lake Geneva was the scene of a nautical disaster. On a storm day, The Rhône et The swantwo steam boats collide. The accident left eleven dead and The Rhône dark. He also lies at the bottom of the lake, 300 meters deep. “Mégemond then approaches Colonel Hubert-Saladin. in Geneva, to explain the importance of creating a rescue company all around the lake. The “Lac Lake Lake Society”-which will later become the current SISL-was born on September 6, 1885 in Thonon-les-Bains. “

The sections of Thonon. Geneva. Versoix, Nyon, Ouchy and Morges are the first rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new created following this assembly, soon followed by others. In 1900, the SISL had 20 sections.

Speaking rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers new of the wrist

At the time, rescues were made to the strength of the wrist. “Our ancestors had the merit of intervening on rescue societies: angels guardian volunteers the row. we had to want. because the waves were the same as today,” observes Philippe Bonzon, former president of the Morges rescue company Between 2017 and 2023.

Over the years, SISL and its now 34 sections scattered around Lake Geneva have obviously developed. Room boats, a true pride of rescuers, are now only released during the demonstrations of the various companies.

At the time of blowing its 140 candles, the SISL has 2,200 members but not all intervene. “In Morges, for example, out of 115 members, there are 35-40s that come out in interventions,” says Philippe Bonzon. The others are on duty. But this is what is nice: we do not put the elders in the closet. it is the state of mind of rescue. It is a nice social mix between the living forces and the older ones. ”

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