19 receive certificates after completing training in different fields

A group of 10 firefighters from both the Airport Fire and Rescue Services, and the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency based in Victoria have been promoted in a ceremony to coincide with International Firefighters’ Day yesterday, May 4.

The ceremony took place at the Airport Fire and Rescue Services (AFRS) station behind the cargo terminal at the Seychelles International Airport. It was attended by Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon who is also responsible for Home Affairs, Local Government, Youth, Sports, Culture, Risk and Disaster Management. The new Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Didier Dogley was also among the guests who included Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) chief fire officer André Morel and family members of the fire officers.

Among the group, station manager Francis Quatre has been promoted to deputy chief fire officer. Mr Quatre has been working with the AFRS for the past 21 years, starting as a trainee firefighter in 1997 and gradually moving up through the ranks, earning the respect of his fellow officers, devoting himself to his career and proving his competence through his commitment and ability as a station manager for administration and operation, a post he held for almost 10 years.

Mr Quatre says he is ready to take on his new responsibilities.

“I know it will be more challenging but with all the experience and skills I’ve acquired over the years and with a team of dedicated and committed officers, I am confident I will deliver to the best of my ability,” he said, expressing heartfelt  gratitude to his superiors for believing in him and recognising his abilities  and hard work. He also thanked his fellow firefighters and his family for their continued and unfailing support.

Also promoted was firefighter Daniella Belise from the SFRSA, the only female in the group, and she has now reached the rank of leading firefighter. Working as a firefighter for the past four years Ms Belise says it is a big challenge as she follows the same training and tough exercises as her male colleagues.

“The challenges are many but you have to be determined and work hard to prove you can be as good as your male colleagues and excel in the tasks you are assigned,” she stressed.

She says she has the support of her male colleagues and her superiors and has thanked them for that.

The other eight promoted are Dave Valentin, Nady Jeanne (from firefighters to leading firefighters), Giovanni Gabriel, Jean-Pierre Corgat (from leading fire officers to sub officers), Jean-Paul Denis (from section leader to sub station officer), Terrence Arnephy (from sub station officer to station officer), Richard Moncherry (from leading fire fighter to assistant section leader) and Paul Faure (from assistant section leader to section leader).

As for the group of 19 fire officers who received their certificates, they followed training in such aspects of firefighting like supervisory skills, overseas training in compartment fire behaviour, fire safety for managers, public procurement among others.

Addressing the fire fighters in his maiden speech as Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr Dogley said “firefighters are honourable women and men doing an honourable job which represents discipline, hard work, dedication and integrity”.

He also described them as “men and women who stand strong and are willing to die to save another person’s life.”

Commenting on this year’s International Fire fighters’ Day chosen theme which is ‘Moving closer to the community’, Minister Dogley noted that it is very fitting as firefighters are officers on whom the community can depend in their time of need.

He has urged the firefighters to keep giving the best of themselves and remain committed in their profession and continue to be role models in their workplace and their community.

For his part, chief fire officer Bernard Henriette said this year’s theme calls for an increasing need for the two fire services to work more closely together to better help the community.

“Moving closer to the community for the AFRS goes as far as having additional equipment at hand which may be used to assist people,” he said.

“A lot of times people tend to complain when they do not receive a good service from the two fire services either on Mahe or Praslin, but this should not discourage a firefighter as the victims’ reaction is simply normal during those times,” Mr Henriette noted.

He went on to highlight the achievements and improvements of the AFRS for 2017 and 2018 and its plans to continue investing in the training of its cadres.

Activities to mark International Firefighters’ Day yesterday also included a photo exhibition showcasing the achievements of the two fire services.

The activities continue today at 9am with a parade by officers of the two stations around Victoria to show members of the public the equipment they use and how they react in cases of emergency. The parade will start at the SFRSA headquarters on Bois de Rose Avenue, go through 5th June Avenue, Independence Avenue to the clock tower and end on Francis Rachel Street.