Fire and Emergency Service

History

The Monaco Fire and Emergency Service was created on 9 June 1909, by Sovereign Ordinance no. 1778 of H.S.H. Prince Albert I.

It constitutes the Military Force with the Palace Guards.

Role

Its duties involve:

• Fighting fires of all kinds
• Combating chemical or radiological risks
• Providing rescue services for victims of road accidents
• Providing an emergency response for sick or injured persons at home and their transport
• Assistance for animals in difficulty
• Protecting property against risks of all kinds (meteorological, technological, etc.)
• Fighting pollution on land

The Company carries out surveillance and prevention with regard to fire risks at the Prince's Palace, the Oceanographic Museum and during key sporting, artistic or cultural events (Formula 1 Grand Prix, International Circus Festival, football matches, etc.).

In parallel to its operational duties as such, the Fire and Emergency Service devotes much work to fire risk prevention.

In addition, the Fire and Emergency Service carries out Civil Security duties:

• Preparing National Security Plans
• Permanent contact with international organizations regarding major natural and technological risks
• Cooperation with developing countries (Mauritania, Burkina Faso) in collaboration with the Department of International Cooperation

The Unit also has a detachment to intervene during natural or technological disasters as part of international civil security aid. 

Organisation

The Unit is arranged as follows:

• A command level consisting of the Chief Officer and their deputy
• A management level consisting of
  • The Centre for Incident Management and Emergency Operations (CGECOS)
  • The Condamine Emergency Centre
  • The Fontvieille Emergency Centre, which comprises all the specialist teams
• A management level comprising the various offices: the Prevention Office, the Operations Planning and Management Office, the Logistics and Technical Support Office, the Training, Instruction and Sports Office, and the Administration, Human Resources and Finance Office. This management level, together with the command level, forms the general staff

Emergency Operations Planning And Management Office (Bpco)

Its day-to-day duties are:

• Managing road closures
• Administrative management of intervention reports
• Coordinating the management of vehicle availability with Technical Services

The Operations Management Department (the Centre for Incident Management and Emergency Operations – CGECOS)

Duties:

• Processing alerts and dispatching the emergency services
• Monitoring, gathering, and analysing civil defence information (weather, tsunami, earthquakes, radioactivity, etc.)

The Operations Preparation Department

Duties:

• Organising major exercises to ensure that all existing plans and procedures are fully effective
• Management of the Emergency Prevention Services
• National (ORMOSE, Plan Red, special emergency plans) and international emergency plans
• Creating and updating emergency response plans for the Principality's high-risk establishments and large-scale sporting or cultural events
• Management of operational cartographic data
• Contact point for certain international conventions (IAEA, ETAI)
• Participation in cross-border preparatory work with France (bi-national Rainier III road tunnel plan, RAMOGEPOL plan, etc.)
• Updating the IT database (routes, specific instructions, management of evacuation scenarios, etc.)

Operational data:

• Creating and updating land plans for Monaco and neighbouring municipalities
• The cartographic management of fire hydrants in cooperation with the Emergency Prevention Services
• Ensuring the accessibility of emergency and fire-fighting equipment under all circumstances
• Participating in prospective studies relating to changes in risks and operational coverage
• Drafting annual statistics on operational activities; researching the implementation of a geographic information system

The Radio Communications Department

• Management of digital radio equipment, programming, and monitoring radio units
• User training
• Telephone network control and management
• Upgrades and updates

The IT Department

A command and decision support tool using modern telecommunications and IT technologies.

The staff in this department are responsible for developing resource management applications, managing databases, administering IT networks, and maintaining hardware.

Their duties include:

• Updating data
• Upkeep and maintenance of IT equipment
• Integration of new hardware solutions
• Developing new software tools

The Emergency Prevention Department

This department is responsible for checking and upgrading the fire hydrants within its area of responsibility (Monaco, Beausoleil, Cap d'Ail and parts of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and Eze).

The department assesses the accessibility of buildings for fire-fighting equipment and changes to traffic flow and prepares information on special fire-fighting equipment (sprinkler systems) in buildings.

The Training, Instruction And Sports Office (Bfis)

Duties:

• To manage and plan all academic and professional activities (examinations, training courses, daily training) for all the Monaco Fire and Emergency Service’s staff
• Provide external training and skills maintenance
• Plan and organise sporting activities (championships, competitions, etc.)
• Drafting the Service’s drill regulations
• Carrying out annual staff evaluations in the areas of sport (endurance, swimming, kickboarding, weight training)
• Training new recruits
• Managing the Armoury and military training

Public information:

Introduced in 1995, following an inter-ministerial committee meeting, the aim of this mission is to provide the public with information to improve their ability to react to emergency situations involving major domestic, natural, and technological hazards. In partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the office is involved in a risk education programme, training teaching and non-teaching staff and preparing schools for emergency situations (PPMS).

The BFIS is involved in raising awareness of fire hazards and preventive measures among certain Monegasque administrations and associations.
The office is also involved in training external entities such as IFSI students and ACM marshals for the Formula 1 Grand Prix, as well as welcoming Year 9 pupils during their work experience placements in companies in conjunction with the DENJS.

The Prevention Office (Bprev)

The areas of responsibility are:

• Residential buildings
• High-rise buildings (IGH)
• Public establishments (ERP)
• Covered car parks (PSC)
• Industrial buildings
• Public events (Grand Prix, Show Jumping, fairs, exhibitions, etc.)

Duties:

• Representing the Chief Officer of the Monaco Fire and Emergency Service, a member of the technical commission, its staff undertake the following:
  • Assessing applications, particularly for building permits
  • Completion inspections
  • Periodic inspections
  • Risk assessments
• Chairing examination boards for fire safety and personal assistance service agents (SSIAP)
• Provides advice to the authorities
• Provides regulatory monitoring
• Drafts and/or amends safety texts and regulations relating to fire and panic safety in buildings and for events

Legislative studies on fire safety:

The office is responsible for drafting and monitoring regulations relating to the prevention of fire and panic risks in establishments and buildings, taking the Principality's specific features into account.

To carry out these duties, the Prevention Office comprises two officers and two non-commissioned officers, who all undergo regular professional development and hold PRV2 qualifications and in the case of the office manager PRV3 qualifications.

The Logistics And Technical Support Office (Bslt)

Logistics Support Department

Duties:

• Maintenance and management of communal areas and accommodation

This multi-faceted department is responsible for the upkeep, maintenance, and management of 131 barracks accommodations, as well as overseeing 22 dwellings in town. In addition, its remit extends to the comprehensive upkeep of all barracks, covering a wide range of areas such as masonry, joinery, electricity, painting and plumbing, to ensure an optimum, safe living environment for occupants. Which highlights the service's firm commitment to the quality and functionality of its infrastructure.

• Management of the military base

Our base is an area dedicated to military firefighters, designed to provide a place to relax and to help relieve the stress that comes with firefighting. At the heart of community life, our base plays a central role in everyone's well-being. We offer a varied selection of products bearing the Service’s emblem, suitable for both enthusiasts and collectors.

• General warehouse

Our general warehouse is a hub for crucial tasks relating to the operation of the barracks. This includes the purchase, supply, allocation and inspection of personal protective equipment (PPE). It is also where the equipment required for sleeping, furnishing and camping during specific external missions is handled.

• The mess hall and restaurant management

The firefighters' restaurant is run by a service provider, which is responsible for preparing meals on site. A team is deployed to provide meals for the two fire brigades. On average, the restaurant serves 80 meals a day, either in the dining room or as takeaways.

• Management of the "Auguste Picandet" Hall of Honour

The management of the Salle d'Honneur is of particular importance, acting as a museum that traces the history of the Service from its beginnings. This is an essential task designed to respect the traditions and preserve the memory of the Corps. By showcasing significant elements of the past, the Hall of Honour contributes to maintaining the heritage and legacy of the Corps throughout the years.

The Technical Services Department

Duties:

The Technical Services of the Monaco Fire and Emergency Service play a crucial role in the operational management and maintenance of the fleet of vehicles and equipment.

Their role encompasses a range of responsibilities, including:

• Designing new machinery and equipment
• Drafting specifications
• Maintaining and repairing a varied fleet of 50 vehicles:
  • 16 heavy goods vehicles
  • 6 medical vehicles
  • 1 fire and rescue craft
  • 3 drones
  • 6 command vehicles
  • Special vehicles
  • All-terrain vehicles
  • Towing vehicles
• Maintaining global operational capabilities

The Technical Services Department is also responsible for fuel management, including a strategic reserve for the Principality. It is involved in the maintenance of the Formula 1 Grand Prix resources belonging to the Automobile Club de Monaco, in addition to the production and design of special vehicles and equipment adapted to the needs of the Service.

An essential part of their role is driver training, including refresher courses at driving schools and learning how to drive and manoeuvre special-purpose vehicles.

In addition, the Technical Services Department plans and monitors the regular inspection of emergency equipment, such as fire extinguishers in the Princely Buildings (around 300 units) and at the Automobile Club de Monaco (around 600 units). It also checks and tests the underground hydrants and fire hydrants in Monaco, totalling around 500 appliances.

These various missions demonstrate the Technical Services Department's commitment to ensuring safety, operational efficiency and compliance with the standards of the Monaco Fire and Emergency Service.

The Administration, Human Resources And Finance Office (Barhf)

Routine administration (correspondence, diary management, orders, notes, managing archives and calls.

The team structure:

• An officer
• A senior non-commissioned officer
• A fire service non-commissioned officer
• A non-commissioned fire officer
• An attaché
• A secretary
• An accountant
• An assistant

The Administration Department

Routine administration (correspondence, diary management, orders, notes, managing archives and calls).

The Finance Department

Manages the Service’s various budgets (running costs, barracks maintenance, training and investment).

The Human Resources Department

• Management of staff numbers, skills and career progression (recruitment, reappointment, promotion, family situation, retirement)
• Accommodation management

The Communications Team

This section reports to the Deputy Chief Officer of the Monaco Fire and Emergency Service.

This team is tasked with developing information and communication internally and externally using a variety of media (website, internal Workplace social network, broadcast screen, etc.).

Internal communication will enable Service staff to be informed about the various information rely on every day.

External communication handles relations with institutional counterparts (Government Departments, Monaco matin, Soldat du feu, etc.).

Among other things, the communications team develops its website and manages media coverage of various events (ceremonies, parades, etc.).