70 Years of the SDIS of La Réunion: A History of Courage and Commitment

Today, we celebrate a historic milestone: the 70th anniversary of the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS) of La Réunion. Since its founding, the SDIS has safeguarded the people of La Réunion with bravery and dedication. This anniversary is an opportunity to pay tribute to all those who, over the decades, have shaped the history of this essential institution on our island.

A 70-Year Legacy: Looking Back at the History of the SDIS

The Early Years (1955–1990): From Communal Organization to Departmental Structure
Officially created in 1955, the SDIS initially coordinated local fire services. The pivotal year of 1991 marked its departmentalization, unifying resources and professionalizing the teams.

Major Operations: From Natural Disasters to Large-Scale Fires
Cyclones, the Maïdo wildfires, rescue operations in Mayotte… the SDIS has risen to every challenge with courage, strengthening its reputation as an elite force.

A Humanitarian and Social Commitment
During the COVID-19 crisis, La Réunion’s firefighters played a key role in vaccination campaigns and medical evacuations.

A Commemorative Book: 70 Years of History
A new book, History of the Firefighters of La Réunion, has just been published by Orphie Editions. It features testimonies, archives, press clippings, and photographs that shed light on the rich history of firefighting on the island.
Our thanks to Antenne Réunion for giving us the opportunity to present the book on the 7 p.m. news!

A Look Back at the February 15 Book Signing: A Day of Encounters and Emotion

What a day — full of emotion, encounters, and shared memories around our book! To kick off the anniversary celebrations, we organized a signing event at several locations:

Le Portail (Saint-Leu) – Commander Jean-Louis Bègue and Adjutant Daniel Pennino were present. A peaceful atmosphere allowed for sincere conversations with readers in a welcoming setting.

L’Hermitage – The same warm atmosphere prevailed, with Lieutenant Paul André Lefèvre sharing heartfelt moments with visitors.

Librairie des Roches Noires – A vibrant crowd! After a quiet start, Lieutenant Colonel Elvis Chamand and Chief Adjutant Christian Lebon signed over a dozen books and engaged in long discussions with passionate readers. Special thanks to the enthusiastic bookstore team for their warm welcome and kind words about our work.

Librairie Autrement (Saint-Denis) – A wonderful surprise! Alongside Commander Maya de Villepoix, Captain François Michel, and Commander Brice Dupont, the director himself joined the signing — a meaningful moment, especially as he is the author of the book’s postface, highlighting the collective nature of this project.

🙏 Many thanks to Orphie Editions, whose outstanding work has elevated our research and passion.

This day reminded us once again how deeply our history resonates with you. Your welcome, your smiles, and your words inspire us to keep going with renewed determination.


A Museum to Preserve the Memory

To mark this anniversary year, our association is actively working — with the support of the SDIS — on the creation of the Firefighters’ Museum of La Réunion and the Indian Ocean. The museum will feature emblematic pieces such as:

  • The legendary 1940s Laffly fire truck
  • A 19th-century hand pump
  • Valuable historical archives

The 70th Anniversary Events: A Full Program

In partnership with the SDIS, the association is organizing a series of events throughout the year:

📖 Publication of the book marking 70 years of the SDIS
📺 A TV report highlighting the role and commitment of women in the SDIS
🏛️ A historical exhibition tracing the SDIS’s evolution
🎓 A lecture on the history of firefighting in La Réunion
🎖️ An official ceremony honoring generations of firefighters who shaped the SDIS

Tribute to the Men and Women of Fire

We pay tribute to all the firefighters — volunteers and professionals — who have served with devotion, sometimes at the cost of their lives. A special thought goes to Thomas Lebon, former communications officer of our association, who passed away in 2023.

A Collective Commitment for the Future

The SDIS of La Réunion continues to evolve:

  • Development of new specialties, such as controlled burns
  • Modernization of equipment with support from European FEDER funds
  • Promotion of academic research into the history of firefighting

Conclusion: An Anniversary Focused on the Future

To conclude, we would like to share the message sent by Colonel Frédéric Léguillier, Director of the SDIS, to all SDIS personnel:

Officers, NCOs, chief corporals, corporals, and firefighters,
Administrative, technical, and specialized staff,

Today, we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the SDIS of La Réunion.
This is more than just a commemoration: it is a moment to honor all those who, since 1955, have contributed with courage and commitment to building this vital institution for the protection of the people of La Réunion.

Since its creation, our SDIS has continuously evolved, adapting to challenges and innovations to better serve our island’s needs. This success is above all yours — that of the women and men who, every day, uphold our values of courage, solidarity, and dedication.

This anniversary year will be marked by many major events, reflecting both our rich history and our future aspirations. The book History of the Firefighters of La Réunion, the result of passionate research and collective memory, has just been released. One of the highlights will be a special ceremony during the National Firefighters’ Day, honoring our heritage and celebrating our shared future.

Let us celebrate our history, honor our present, and prepare the future of our SDIS together.

Thank you all for your daily commitment. Be proud of your journey — it is thanks to you that this remarkable page of La Réunion’s history continues to be written.

Colonel Frédéric Léguillier
Departmental Director of SDIS 974
Chief of the Departmental Fire Service

Nicolas FOLIO

Officier supérieur de sapeurs-pompiers à La Réunion, ancien cadre de la Brigade de sapeurs-pompiers de Paris. Chef du centre de secours principal de Saint-Pierre. Auditeur de l’IHEDN (session régionale océan Indien), doctorant en civilisation allemande, chargé d’enseignement universitaire en histoire, anglais, allemand et gestion des risques. Président d’associations dédiées à la mémoire et au patrimoine des sapeurs-pompiers. Auteur et chercheur engagé dans l’étude des services de secours à l’échelle internationale, en particulier en Bavière et à La Réunion. Intègre, polyvalent, tourné vers l’action et la transmission.

Post Comment