Fire Department Hosts Parisian Counterparts

The Santa Monica Fire Department were host to two Parisian firefighters, who compared trans-Atlantic differences in firefighting techniques.

Parisian streets are narrower and curve more than those here, said Willy Preto, 37, whose Parisian rank is comparable to battalion chief.

Therefore, Parisian firetrucks are substantially smaller than their American counterparts, he said. Each truck, however, holds about half a dozen firefighters--compared with the average of four in the United States.

French firefighters also are considered part of the military, working 15 years of frequent 24-hour shifts before reaching retirement.

Parisian firefighters are equipped with gilded double helmets and protective glasses, giving them a “Star Wars” look.

Fellow firefighter Christophe Dubois, 29, is chronicling the trip for the monthly 92-page magazine “Allo 18s” (French for “Hello 911.)”