In France, about 198,900 men and women dedicate themselves every day to the service of others while working or studying. Volunteer firefighters represent 79% of French firefighters and they work together every day to save lives.

In concrete terms, what does it mean to be an SPV?

Firstly, volunteer firefighters are motivated people who are committed to the rescue centre closest to their home. These volunteers work as firefighters in parallel with their main activity. However, this activity can be work or studies with no apparent link to the profession of firefighter. The volunteer firefighter is called upon in the event of an emergency and the need for reinforcement.

According to the law of 20 July 2011 concerning the commitment of SPVs, it defines “civic engagement as a volunteer firefighter as an activity based on volunteering and volunteering, carried out under its own conditions”. The VPS contributes mainly to fire and rescue missions (of property, people or the environment).

How to become an SPV?

The process to become a volunteer firefighter is made up of certain conditions that must be met:

• Be at least 16 years old (with the authorization of a legal representative for minors)
• Be a French resident
• Be physically fit (fitness verified during a medical examination)
• Have completed your Defence and Citizenship Day
• Enjoying your civil rights
• Respecting the SPV’s national charter
• Not have been the subject of convictions contrary to the function of volunteer firefighter

Finally, depending on the rank that the volunteer wishes to achieve, the conditions are supplemented by other criteria such as for officer, lieutenant, captain or firefighters of the SSSM (health and medical rescue service).

Commitment

Regarding the commitment, the volunteer is hired for a period of 5 years. It is a period that is automatically renewed provided that the list of criteria mentioned above is always met.

Each SPV has the possibility of suspending its commitment, on an exceptional basis, subject to a limit of a total of 5 years:

• For family reasons
• Professional
• Schools
• Leave (parental in particular)

Insofar as this suspension of engagement allows you to keep your rank and your level of seniority. Once the suspension has been completed, you return to your volunteer position having undergone a medical examination.

Education

Also, to work as a firefighter, the SPV must be trained to be the most capable of intervening during missions. For this, different training courses exist:

• Initial training

First of all, this training is adapted to the missions that an SPV may receive. It lasts 30 days and lasts from 1 to 3 years. While waiting for it to be obtained, the SPV can intervene in the field thanks to the units of value it has acquired.

• Continuing education and further training

Then, this continuous training which aims to allow the SPV to maintain its skills and allow it to acquire new specializations.

As a result, with the eBrigade software, training management is centralized and facilitated. Registration can be done directly by the volunteers and you have the possibility to issue your own diplomas.

Remuneration

Regarding remuneration, SPVs, unlike SPPs (professional firefighters) are not paid but compensated. Their compensation varies according to the rank of the volunteer. Here is a scale of the hourly allowance that the volunteer can receive (source: service-public.fr):

Availability

Regarding availability, the volunteer can ask his rescue center to be called upon only at certain times (public holidays, evening and night or weekends for example). Then, the SPV, in agreement with his employer, can also make himself available during his main activity if his employer authorises him to leave his place of work to intervene.

A company that commits itself by allowing its volunteer employees conveys a positive image of its company. This approach is, moreover, recognized by the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin. In addition, a company that commits can receive a label for this title.

Apply

Finally, to apply, the candidate can contact the departmental fire and rescue service (SDIS) of his department. The selection is carried out by the SDIS and the recruitment criteria may vary from one SDIS to another. A CV, a cover letter and a copy of all the diplomas obtained following the training courses may be requested.

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