A former ‘sky firefighter’, who has been living in the Hérault since his retirement, has confirmed these revelations to our colleagues at the website actu.fr. “I’ve flown Canadair aircraft during my career, but I’ve never wanted to set foot in a turbine-powered aeroplane; I’ve always refused to fly in a Tracker – I’ve considered it too risky for years.”, reveals this pensioner, who is well known throughout the aviation industry, as well as to Civil Protection staff and technicians, our colleagues add.
According to a Senate report dated March 2012, these devices were due to reach the end of their service life between 2016 and 2020, and their replacement with newer models was due to begin during the same period. Furthermore, a second report from the upper house; this time from 2006, these Trackers were due to be taken out of service in 2008.
« We need to tackle this issue on a day-to-day basis, not just when tragedies occur »
“All governments (including those of which I have been a part) are, unfortunately, responsible for failing to modernise the French Civil Aviation Authority’s aircraft fleet sufficiently.” Dominique Bussereau, president of the Charente-Maritime department and of the Association of French Departments, tweeted.
Colonel Grégory Allione, President of the National Federation of French Fire Brigades and also Director of the Bouches-du-Rhône Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS), replied immediately, “Firefighters across France are calling on Emmanuel Macron, Édouard Philippe and Christophe Castaner to introduce a civil protection policy, as they have been demanding for some time. This issue needs to be addressed on a day-to-day basis, not just when tragedies occur. Our roles are evolving, but the regulations and funding are not.” he concluded, before inviting everyone to the national firefighters’ congress, which is to be held in Vannes next September.