Monaco Fire and Rescue Service Hosts General Pierre de Villeneuve, Commander of the French Military Civil Security Brigade

The Monaco Fire and Rescue Service hosted General Pierre de Villeneuve, Commander of the French Military Civil Security Brigade (BMSC), during an official visit on Tuesday 17 March 2026. This visit forms part of the close relationship between specialised civil security units and the Principality’s emergency services.

The Military Civil Security Brigade (BMSC) is composed of four French Army engineer regiments (Nogent-le-Rotrou, Libourne, Corte and Brignoles), placed under the authority of the Ministry of the Interior and the Directorate General for Civil Security and Crisis Management (DGSCGC) within the Sub-Directorate for National Resources (SDMN). 
The Brigade includes approximately 1,700 firefighter-rescuers, both field-hardened and seasoned through their military training, and highly qualified in rescue operations. Support functions are provided by two Operational and Logistics Support Units (ESOL), under the command of the 1st and 7th Civil Security Training and Response Regiments (RIISC).

Around one hundred firefighter-rescuers are assigned to the Interministerial Crisis Management Operational Centre (COGIC) of the Ministry of the Interior and to the nine Zonal Operational Centres (COZ) across mainland France and overseas territories (French Guiana, Martinique and Réunion). In summer 2025, a Forward Overseas Detachment (DAOM) was permanently deployed in Martinique within the Adapted Military Service Regiment (RSMA).

Thanks to a proven standby system enabling it to mobilise 300 personnel within a few hours, the BMSC is a versatile and responsive capability, particularly well suited to reinforcing local emergency services both in France and abroad.

Firefighter-rescuers are tasked with responding to all types of natural hazards (earthquakes, forest fires, floods, cyclones and storms), technological risks (radiological, chemical and biological), assisting populations (water treatment, emergency shelter, etc.), and supporting internal security forces and senior authorities in crisis management.

The visit of the General commanding the BMSC highlights the quality of the operational relationship between our two units. Over the years, this cooperation has taken the form of regular exchanges of expertise, joint training initiatives and ongoing dialogue in the field of human resources. These interactions help share valuable know-how, maintain a high level of operational standards and enhance interoperability between personnel. They also contribute to developing a shared culture of crisis management and emergency response. This dynamic is a key asset for the effectiveness and modernisation of both organisations.

Beyond this institutional cooperation, the two units share a long-standing relationship forged over several decades. This bond was particularly evident during the mission conducted in Fukushima in 2011, symbolising our solidarity and shared commitment. 
The visit began at the La Condamine fire station with a review of the fire guard in the presence of the unit colours and honour guard. A presentation of the Service by Lieutenant-Colonel Maxime Yvrard, Commanding Officer, was followed by an overview of the different departments and specialised vehicles.
The General then attended the Changing of the Guard of the Prince’s Carabiniers at Place du Palais. He subsequently took part in an official luncheon attended by Mr Lionel Beffre, Minister for the Interior, Lieutenant-Colonel Maxime Yvrard, Commanding Officer, and senior officers of the Service, at the conclusion of which he signed the Unit’s guestbook.
The afternoon was devoted to a meeting with the Commanding Officer, as well as a presentation of the Emergency Operations and Crisis Management Centre (CGECOS), innovative projects and equipment at the Fontvieille fire station. 

This visit helped to further develop operational cooperation between civil security units. Under a Franco-Monegasque agreement of 21 May, teams from the Monaco Fire and Rescue Service may be integrated into French rescue units during operations abroad in the event of natural disasters or major technological incidents. 

As part of mutual support arrangements, a detachment of nine BMSC personnel will reinforce the Monaco Fire and Rescue Service during the 2026 Grand Prix events.