An interview with Paolo De Angelis, coordinator of the Fire Brigade of Vatican City State
Protecting people and emergency response
With its 35 members, the Fire Brigade of Vatican City State is responsible for the complete protection of people, places and assets without any time limitations. The Fire Brigade is present at all papal celebrations, ready to intervene promptly in case of fire. Its task is to guarantee the safety of people, provide rescue services to the public and prevent and extinguish fires throughout the territory of Vatican City State in the buildings mentioned in Articles 15 and 16 of the Lateran Treaty. The following is an interview with Paolo De Angelis, Coordinator of the Fire Brigade.
What are the responsibilities of the Fire Brigade in the Vatican?
The Fire Brigade is responsible for all the objectives that are required in ensuring the safety of people, for public rescue services and for preventing and extinguishing fires, as well as everything required by existing regulation.
How are candidates selected? What are the requirements?
In order to participate in the selection process of the Fire Brigade of Vatican City State, in addition to the requirements established by the General Regulation for Employees of Vatican City State, candidates must be unmarried, be between the ages of 21 and 25, be in good physical and psychological health and have medical clearance. Candidates must have a high school degree or an equivalent degree and profess and practice the Catholic faith. The application must be accompanied by a letter of presentation from the candidate’s parish priest, guaranteeing that he knows the candidate well.
What kind of emergencies require your intervention?
The Fire Brigade’s intervention is required for emergency technical rescue, in particular, in conditions of static instability, when upgrades are under way, in road accidents, in the removal of vehicles, and in all situations of common danger to people and things, including any operation to support the other Directorates of the Governorate.
The Fire Brigade also carries out a special fire service during the ceremonies of the Holy Father, at the heliport in the Vatican Gardens on the occasions of his arrivals and departures for Apostolic Journeys and during landings in hospital rescues at the Bambino Gesù Paediatric Hospital.
How is the Fire Brigade structured? What kind of vehicles and equipment do you have?
There are currently 35 members. The Fire Brigade has modern equipment and modern rescue instruments, including a 32 metre ladder fire truck, a tanker with a 1,250 litre capacity, a modern fire engine, a helipad, a tow truck for removing vehicles, a save and rescue vehicle, a Quad, service vehicles and vehicles for fighting forest fires,
Can you also intervene outside the Vatican?
In accordance with regulations, the Fire Brigade carries out its rescue duties throughout the State’s territory and in the zones mentioned in Articles 15 and 16 of the Lateran Treaty and subsequent modifications.
