The Genesis of the Book: 70 Years of Firefighting History in La Réunion

This book was born out of necessity — the need to share the history of La Réunion’s firefighters with both the general public and the firefighters themselves. The objective was clear: to lay the foundation for an ambitious museum project by showcasing the rich tangible and intangible heritage of these everyday heroes.

1. Objectives and Vision

The book serves several purposes:

• To raise awareness among younger generations and strengthen the bond between firefighters and the wider community.
• To involve the people of La Réunion in collecting stories, objects, and testimonies, particularly by encouraging families to share their memories.
• To act as a communication tool for the museum project, helping to uncover anecdotes, facts, and historic artifacts hidden in private settings.

It also represents the first step in a broader cultural and educational initiative, paving the way for deeper exploration of La Réunion’s firefighting history.

2. A Collaborative Methodology

To meet this challenge, we assembled a team with diverse expertise:

• Maya de Villepoix led in-depth historical research.
• Contributors were selected for their technical knowledge of various firefighting specialties.

However, time constraints were a major hurdle. With just one year to complete the project, contributors had to be motivated, supported, and guided throughout the writing process under tight deadlines. Fortunately, key partnerships helped sustain the project, notably with:

• The Departmental Archives and Departmental Library of La Réunion
• Media sources, including print and audiovisual archives (INA)

3. A Rigorous Documentary Approach

The richness of the book lies in the wide variety of sources used: public archives, press articles, oral histories, and works on local history. Every fact was thoroughly verified and cross-referenced to ensure accurate and balanced storytelling.

Several striking anecdotes uncovered during research highlight the unique character of this book — for example, how in 1966, the firefighters of Saint-Pierre would take the benches out of the fire station so the public could come watch television, still a rarity at the time. Stories like this add a human and local touch to the epic of La Réunion’s firefighters.

4. What Makes This Book Unique

This is the first book ever published on the history of overseas firefighters in France, highlighting challenges and realities shaped by insularity and the natural risks specific to La Réunion. The book stands out through its examination of evolving practices and equipment, as well as its reflection on the island’s social and environmental transformations.

5. A Community-Driven and Participatory Process

To expand the reach of the project, an online forum was launched on the association’s website. Structured by chapter, it allows everyone — firefighters or citizens — to contribute content for the second edition, which is already in preparation.

6. Looking Ahead

Although this book is already a major achievement, it remains open to improvement. The next edition will aim to:

• Delve further into the history of firefighting before 1950
• Explore the development of road rescue services
• Add new chapters on missing themes or locations, such as SUAP (emergency assistance to victims), hazmat specialists, and the fire stations of Saint-Paul, Entre-Deux, Sainte-Rose, and Plaine des Palmistes

In Conclusion

This project is more than just a book — it is an invitation to safeguard a shared heritage. It builds a bridge between past and future, between firefighters and citizens, in order to pass on the values of courage and solidarity that define them.

While it celebrates the past, this book opens the door to a collaborative and participatory future — an evolving story that we invite you to help write.