Au Secours! Au Secours! Dial 18!

Steve’s first reaction was to consider the issue of fire evacuation for the apartment, should a similar event occur, as the apartment is on a high level. Fire escapes are not the norm in Paris, and in the rue Trésor building, the only the elevator is adjacent to the stairwell for a means of escape. If these are blocked, the only other exit is via the front balcony, and it is approximately 50 to 60 feet to the ground below.

Steve wrote, “Honestly, this is not something I had given serious thought to, as none of our other apartments are located at this height. However, we do provide a small fire extinguisher in every apartment.” That reminded me that of course, we require a fire extinguisher be in every rental apartment we represent and whenever I greet a new renter at “Le Provençal,” I point it out, but never think it will be needed really.

He then informed all the owners that they will be installing battery operated smoke detectors in both the living room and bedroom of “Le Petit Trésor” and will be installing some sort of rope/chain evacuation ladders that can be attached to the balcony railing so as to provide an alternative means of escape should a fire occur. In French they are called “Echelles de Secours” and can be found online to purchase by Safelincs for 62.90€ at http://www.safelincs.fr

He added, “The safety of our Owners and Guests is paramount, even though the likelihood of an event like this is minimal.”

There aren’t the usual newspaper reports of events such as this in Paris — at least not unless lives are lost and the news is of utmost importance, so I’ve yet to find the outcome of the fire. I went there today to see it for myself. Looking up you can see the blackened windows and the burned remnants of personal belongings sit piled on the edge of the street.

The news is sad, but poignant and awakening for all of us who might not have thought previously of the danger of fire and how we can be better prepared to deal with it. There are dozens of Web sites one can visit to learn about preparedness, and there is much one can do, but Steve’s solution to having the basics is well noted.

The Paris Fire Brigade (French Brigade des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris, BSPP), is a French Army unit which serves as the fire service for Paris and certain sites of national strategic importance. The unit is one of the most highly respected of the army and without a doubt, the young handsome, muscular men of the Brigade make the ‘hearts sing’ of many a young ‘lass’ (and often ‘lad!). The official Web site of the BSPP is in French only at http://www.pompiersparis.fr, but note that when in France, you need only dial 18 on your phone to reach them for any fire or health emergency.

A la prochaine…