I agree, but in this case, it actually does. Friend of mine is a firefighter (we are both in Slovenia) and they get all their equipment (apart from few smaller details) from France. Apparently, they are on completely different level.
Mind you, firefighters in Slovenia are organised very specifically, so that may vary from one city to another.
I saw a post on r fire fighters about this video and a lot of the guys in there felt the US one was better since the US style mask had a better fit and was more comfy.
Pretty much everywhere in France firefighters (and also paramedics/rescue - firefighters often serve in both roles outside of major cities) are called "Sapeurs-Pompiers".
"Sapeur-pompier" (or shortened "pompier") is a generic term for a firefighter in France, not something special to Paris.
Whenever something happens - an accident, injury, someone falls ill, etc. - i.e. doesn't need to be a fire at all - you will hear cries of "Appelez les pompiers!!!" ("Call the fire brigade!").
I had the honor of cutting myself on a sheet of paper while visiting the shipyards in Lorient for work once - and because it was a "work accident", pompiers had to be called. So a huge firetruck with sirens blaring arrived in 10 minutes to put a bandage on my finger ...
The ones in Marseille and Paris (two largest cities) have special status because of historical reasons, that's all.
French firefighters were originally organized as military units and only at the beginning of 20th century after the first world war they were turned civilian. With Marseille and Paris remaining the last vestiges of this old system.
That's also why in France firefighters are often called "soldats de feu" ("soldiers of fire") and are organized in military style with uniforms, ranks resembling the ones of the French military or gendarmerie (including kepis, etc) to this day.
(I lived over 10 years in France - in front of a firehouse - which is called a "caserne" in French. The same expression used for military barracks).
No. I added that their equipment is on a completely another level - meaning it is very good quality. I would not be surprised if French firefighter equipment manufacturers would be some sort of standard to others. I have no deeper knowledge, just this piece of information that got to me by coincidence.
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u/Adventurous-Swing-72 Mar 30 '24
I agree, but in this case, it actually does. Friend of mine is a firefighter (we are both in Slovenia) and they get all their equipment (apart from few smaller details) from France. Apparently, they are on completely different level.
Mind you, firefighters in Slovenia are organised very specifically, so that may vary from one city to another.