It is in response to the distressing rise in the number of attacks on firefighters that the management of the SDIS in Bouches-du-Rhône, offers its officers a training module on how to respond and protect themselves in the event of an assault.
Named GAPEC, on managing aggression from people in crisis; this training has already been delivered at several emergency centres in the SDIS 13. The theoretical part includes a psychological component, designed to help manage stress arising from a particular environment. After the theory comes the practical part. Two days are devoted to practical skills, with role-plays and practical exercises.
"This is the ninth course of this kind to be delivered at the CFD. No fewer than 100 firefighters have taken part in the training, and the programme is growing.", explained Commander Sylvain Besson from the social dialogue department within the human resources division of SDIS 13, to our colleagues at Provence.