Saur France commits to supporting Civil Security with a national agreement to encourage its employees to volunteer as firefighters
On Thursday, November 21st, during the Mayors and Local Authorities Fair, Saur France and the General Directorate for Civil Security and Crisis Management (DGSCGC) signed a national partnership agreement. This agreement, formalized in the presence of Estelle Grelier, President of Saur France, Xavier Savigny, Director of Human Resources, Organization, and Transformation for the Saur Group, and Julien Marion, Director General of the DGSCGC, aims to encourage and support the commitment of Saur employees as volunteer firefighters (SPV) on a national scale.
A commitment to serving all
Sharing the values of solidarity and public service upheld by Civil Security, Saur France strengthens its support for the 63 volunteer firefighters (SPV) already within its teams and facilitates the involvement of new volunteers. This national agreement replaces previous agreements made at the departmental level, now unifying and simplifying the conditions of engagement for all Saur France employees. Thanks to this initiative, volunteer employees will be allowed to take time off during their work hours to carry out operational missions or attend training, helping them better balance their professional responsibilities with their civic commitments.
A strategic and essential partnership
In response to the decline in volunteer numbers, this initiative addresses a critical need: volunteer firefighters (SPV) make up 80% of the firefighting workforce and are essential, particularly in rural areas where they handle up to 80% of interventions. Already tested locally, the program is now being rolled out nationally, strengthening the ties between Saur France and the departmental fire and rescue services (SDIS).
Employees who serve as volunteer firefighters (SPV) bring Saur invaluable expertise in crisis management and also act as ambassadors for safety and health within the company. In return, their dual skill set enhances Saur’s impact on the ground during crises, benefiting local communities.
Estelle Grelier, President of Saur France: "This agreement reflects our gratitude toward firefighters, true everyday heroes. By consolidating departmental agreements into a national convention, we are facilitating and supporting our employees' commitment, and we hope this initiative will inspire new vocations within the Group."
Xavier Savigny, Director of Human Resources, Organization, and Transformation at Saur: "Encouraging our employees to volunteer as firefighters is a tangible way to combine our social responsibility with our expertise in crisis management. These commitments strengthen our culture of mutual support and solidarity while creating valuable synergies with SDIS on the ground."
Julien Marion, Director General of Civil Security and Crisis Management at the Ministry of the Interior and Overseas Territories: "Volunteering is a cornerstone of the French Civil Security model. Volunteer firefighters ensure the optimal distribution of emergency services across the entire country and are therefore essential in providing assistance to all our citizens. This model now relies on the commitment of employers like Saur, which today joins the 71 national partnerships established by the General Directorate of Civil Security and Crisis Management in support of volunteer firefighters."