Toulouse: in the event of a chemical explosion or nuclear accident, these firefighters will be on the front line
The new Toulouse-Atlanta center will intervene in the event of a nuclear or chemical accident. It provides “classic” relief for 10 municipalities, including part of the Ville Rose.
If a tragedy similar to the explosion at the AZF factory occurred, the firefighters of the brand new Toulouse-Atlanta barracks would be on the front line. Even chosen if one of the reactors of the Golfech plant (82) showed worrying signs of instability. A light vehicle specially dedicated to this type of intervention would be the first to go to the scene of the accident. “Members of the center specially authorized for this kind of mission would go on site as scouts equipped with diving suits, lead aprons and dosimeter in order to assess the level of radioactivity”, explains Thierry Sigwald, the commander of this barracks which has been operational since Monday.
This fire and rescue center is the fourth to open in the Toulouse conurbation in less than 15 months. This new network, coupled with a significant reinforcement of the workforce, will make it possible to reduce intervention time and improve the quality of relief for a population that is constantly growing in Haute-Garonne.
5000 interventions per year envisaged
The barracks, located on avenue d’Altanta in Toulouse, very close to the ring road, should carry out around 5,000 interventions per year. It will serve as technical support regarding nuclear, chemical, biological and radiological risks for the entire department. But the main mission of the 73 professional firefighters and 46 volunteer firefighters will be to watch 24 hours a day over a population base that extends over 10 municipalities: Flourens, L’Union, Launaguet, Mons, Pin-Balma and part of those of Aucamville, Balma, Dremil-Lafage, Fonbeauzard and the Ville Rose.
Thierry Sigwald was associated by the architects with the development of the center: “Intellectually, it was very stimulating. I was able to put my paw there. The place is warm while remaining very functional. For example, we have set up a health bubble around the center’s three ambulances. Their specific garage respects very strict standards in terms of hygiene and cleaning in order to avoid infections as much as possible. »
The health of the crews was also at the center of the concerns of the designers of the complex. As Commander Sigwald reports: “When we intervene on a fire, potentially carcinogenic particles settle on the clothing. We have developed a strict protocol so that our agents get rid of the polluted suits as quickly as possible with always in reserve perfectly clean equipment for a possible other outing. »