PRESS RELEASE. Yesterday morning, on the parade ground of the magnificent Fort Saint-Jean, the traditional military helmet-presentation ceremony took place for a new intake of 31 naval firefighters, in the presence of their families and friends.
Vice-Admiral Garié, commander of the Naval Fire Brigade, presided over the ceremony, attended by Mr Ruas, Deputy Mayor and representative for the BMPM, civil and military authorities, and veterans of the Brigade.
Paris – Marseille: an ‘unbreakable’ bond between firefighters
Before presenting the new intake to the Battalion Flag and paying tribute to the 35 who have fallen since the unit was formed 80 years ago, the Admiral awarded General Gallet, commander of the prestigious Paris Fire Brigade, the title of ‘Quartier-Maître d’Honneur’, an honorary rank symbolising membership of the French Navy’s crew.
This time-honoured tradition symbolises the unbreakable bond between the two military units responsible for the security of France’s two largest cities.
As of today, the new fire and rescue service personnel have joined one of the unit’s 21 rescue centres to work alongside the people of Marseille.
