Brigade des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris

The fire service in France is known as "sapeurs-pompiers" and provide fire and rescue services.
The Paris fire brigade is a unit of the French Army's Engineering Arm. Technically, they are part of the armed forces. During the annual Bastille Day Parade, they march in uniform with rifles.
Pompier - firefighter,comes from the concept of pumping water and refers to the manual pumps that were originally used.
Sapeur - means sapper and refers to the first official unit created by Napoleon 1 which was part of the military engineering arm.
The members of the Brigade des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris are between 18-25 years old and part of their mission is "emergency ambulance".
 

Geoffrey and I are both well, however,
on Saturday, on our way to buy fish for
tea, on rue Montorgueil, we had just

the  fire truck

crossed rue Etienne Marcel and behind me I heard Geoffrey say, to wait, he had done something to his back. Had he tripped? - no. The pain had apparently just suddenly started. He was in pain and leaning against a lamp post. He managed to get himself into a nearby building and people quickly came to help. None of them could speak English and my French had gone out of my head again.  One of the men, Adissi, called for a doctor. Can you imagine what we thought when the fire brigade turned up. I really thought there was a fire somewhere, but no, the fire engine and the 8 attendants were for Geoffrey. Eight of them, young strapping, handsome men. Drissi had also called his Australian friend who turned up and helped with  translation.  A fire truck ambulance was called and off we went, including Drissi's Australian friend, to the hospital,  the Hôtel-Dieu de Paris, with the siren blaring. The hospital is on Ile de la Cité next to la Cathédrale Notre-Dame.




The pain Geoffrey had, stopped  as suddenly as it had started. He was discharged with medication and a referral to a radiologist. We walked home.

Of course, I am sure you will all be interested in what Geoffrey is going to give Adissi. Yes, a Collingwood 2010 Premiership cap. He deserved it.