Photographer based in MADAGASCAR

Tana's Firemen

Antananarivo, September 2007

The Fire Department in the Madagascan capital, Antananarivo, was established in 1949. Its one and only fire station is located in the Tsaralalana neighborhood in the town centre. Although 2 million people live in the Madagascar's capital city, there are only 116 Antananarivo firefighters, operating in a zone of around 50 km2.

Despite their paltry salaries, these professional firemen are devoted to their work. However, the lack of available equipment undermines their efficiency and results in them being undervalued by the town's inhabitants. Cooperation programs are regularly set up, notably with the French Vendée region and the Japanese government.

According to Colonel ANDRIANAIVO, the fire department's commissioner, the most important issue is to inform the capital's inhabitants : « People often hesitate to call us because they think they'll have to pay for the service ».

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Inside a fireman rescue vehicle.
Inside a fireman rescue vehicle.
A man affected by a epileptic crisis has been urgently brought by firemen to a hospital.
A fireman in front of the Antananarivo's fire station based into the Tsaralalana neighborhood.
Color ceremony every day. The discipline of Antananarivo's fire department is military.
Portrait of Warrant Officer RANAIVOSON Joseph, 60, 38 years on duty.
Fire helmet are ready for intervention.
Collective sport session every monday and friday morning.
Collective sport session every monday and friday morning.
Training for the test of "planche".
Second Lieutenant DIEUDONNE, 53, 29 years on duty, is in charge of sport session.
Firemen attend a soccer tournament every Sundays.
Firemen attend a soccer tournament every Sundays.
Intervention for a woman affected by a pancreatic crisis.
A homeless woman passing away following a cardiac arrest.
The body of a 3 months years old baby was recovered into a canal, probably abandoned by his mother.
Training with a fire truck donated by Japan Government in 2004.
A Karana (Malagasy native from India) shop on fire at Isotry neighborhood.
Bush-fire at the Ankatso University.
Bush-fire around Antananarivo.
Intervention for a drunk man fallen down in a canal.
A young homeless boy has been recovered unconscious on the street in the downtown of Antananarivo.
First aid method training.
The Antananarivo's fire brigade bedroom
The Antananarivo's fire brigade bedroom
The Antananarivo's fire brigade bedroom.
The Antananarivo's fire brigade kitchen.
Firemen getting a haircut on a stack of wood.
The Antananarivo's fire brigade bedroom.
Firemen receive their monthly salary which is about 30 €.
A bar inside the firemen's birgade which is open to the public.
A bar inside the firemen's birgade which is open to the public.
A fireman assigned for the night at the call center.
Going to fire fighting intervention.
28/09/2007 - Antananarivo, MADAGASCAR - Incendie d'une scierie dans la zone industrielle de Forello-Tanjombato. .9/28/2007 - Antananarivo, MADAGASCAR - Fire of a sawmill into the industrial area of Forello-Tanjombato
Firemen after a fire fighting.
A sawmill on fire into the industrial area of Forello-Tanjombato.
Firemen of Antananarivo work in hard condition because the dilapidation of their equipments (vehicles, first aid devices, etc...)..However many foreign cooperation programs tried to properly equiped them.