Who could volunteer in the areas of prevention, security and civil defense?
Volunteering in prevention, security and civil defense was aimed at both men and women. However, certain conditions had to be met in order to be able to volunteer:
- be between 16 and 55 years old (minimum 21 for officers). Minors had to present parental authorization;
- have a clean criminal record;
- having participated in Defense and Citizenship Day (ex-JAPD) or having carried out civic service;
- reside regularly on French territory;
- pass the medical entrance test;
- measure more than 1.60 m.
How did the prevention, security and civil defense volunteer work take place?
Volunteering for prevention, security and civil defense took place according to the same model as the commitment to firefighters, that is to say:
- An initial term of engagement of 5 years, with the first year counting as a probationary period. The commitment was renewed only after a series of physical and medical fitness tests;
- Training provided in the volunteer rescue center in order to fully prepare them to intervene on missions;
- Ongoing advanced training throughout the careers of volunteer firefighters;
- Candidates in possession of a Bac+3 diploma could directly access the rank of volunteer firefighter lieutenant.
Each volunteer hired in the name of volunteering in the areas of prevention, security and civil defense received compensation amounting to 581 euros. Some volunteers even benefited from accommodation in a hostel.
And now ?
On May 14, 2010, the new civic service contract came into effect. Since that day, it is no longer possible to enter into new volunteer commitments under prevention, security and civil defense volunteering. However, the volunteers who had signed such a commitment continue to benefit “until their term, with the exception of the provisions relating to their renewal, of the provisions which governed them at the time of the conclusion of this one”. (Law n° 2010-241 of March 10, 2010, article 21)
NB: it is always possible to enlist as a volunteer firefighter or a young firefighter. To find out what to do, contact the fire and rescue service closest to you. To know the list of these, you can click here.
Our tips:
To learn more about the roles of the firefighter, do not hesitate to consult our Becoming a firefighter fact sheet.