While the heat wave is growing right now in Switzerland, firefighters are preparing to deal with the growing risk of fires. Example in the canton of Vaud, where the soldiers of fire are formed on their new arsenal.
The forest fire truck (CCF) is the new size ally for Vaudois firefighters. The brand new vehicle is the first of the four that the canton of Vaud will have by 2027. With nozzles on the side and remote -controlled front lances, it is able to transport 3,500 liters of water and can reach difficult to access areas.
A sacred asset in the fight against flames, which will also make it possible to best protect firefighters in the woods. “It is really a vehicle that makes the difference in this kind of intervention,” said Ruben Romero, head of special operations at the Cantonal Insurance Establishment (ECA), in 12:45 p.m.
These tank trucks will have to go out with a certain recurrence due to the increased risk of major fires. “We could see and note that the vegetation and forest fires have doubled from one year to the next. Global warming is not just a theory, we are clearly in an element with an increased risk. We must be ready to cope with a substantial event,” said Ruben Romero.
Investment of 7 million
The canton of Vaud and the ECA have planned to invest more than 7 million francs over four years to form staff and buy specific equipment, including very light small pumps with a flow of 600 l/min; And a system that can be loaded on a pick-up or helicopter with a pool allowing to accommodate 3000 liters of water.
“On the forest fire, the disaster will move, so you have to be very mobile and very light,” said Nicolas Farinelli, technical collaborator at ECA.
The first Vaudois specialists trained in France. Objective: be fully operational in 2028. “We must be able to deal with these events […] We must be able to protect our population, “said Florian Cuche, cantonal inspector at ECA Vaud.
But in the event of large forest fires, Vaudois firefighters will also be able to count on their colleagues from other cantons, thanks to the implementation of an intercantonal collaboration.
>> Also listen to the 12:30 p.m. report:
Pascale Defrance and Thibaut Clémence/Jfe