Deploying wildland firefighters across the province takes a lot of planning.
A team from TVA Nouvelles was able to find out on Tuesday by gaining access to the SOPFEU headquarters in Roberval in Lac-Saint-Jean.
Screenshot | VAT News
Here the general management of the central sector of SOPFEU receives alarms and develops combat strategies.
On the tarmac, incoming planes must be ready and take off again quickly.
Workers are concentrated on the top floor of the building on Airport Road in Roberval.
You need to be in constant contact with the teams deployed on the ground.
Screenshot | VAT News
“You always have to refer to the hours to say where you are in the combat phase and what equipment you need,” explains SOPFEU Prevention and Communications Officer Josée Poitras.
Twenty-four forest firefighters are normally assigned to Roberval Base, which includes about thirty administrative staff.
Currently there are 150.
“We have had to increase our fleet of vehicles because as we increase our troops, we also need additional equipment,” Ms Poitras said.
Screenshot | VAT News
A hundred forest firefighters from France are expected very soon in Roberval to support the Quebec troops who have been working tirelessly for several days.