Fifty years ago, on October 25, 1976, a new decree marked the end of a long battle for professional equality in the firefighter profession. This symbolic date ended a 1953 decree that reserved the profession for men. The story of Françoise Mabille, who in 1973 knocked on the door of her local fire station, became a media catalyst for this recognition.
Today, the place of women among firefighters is no longer a question of gender but of skills, according to Commander Déborah Delpeut, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination Officer at Pompiers13. She emphasizes that this 50th anniversary serves as a reminder that women's operational skills were long overlooked. The 1976 decree broke an institutional glass ceiling, but the path to full diversity, especially in leadership positions, still needs to be traveled.
As of January 1, 2026, SDIS 13 had 1,551 women in its ranks, representing 21% of its total staff. Among them, 1,199 are volunteers, 143 are professionals, and 209 are administrative, technical, and specialized agents (ATS), making up 46% of the total ATS staff.
SDIS 13 reaffirms its commitment to intensifying diversity and professional equality initiatives through its Equity Mission and the update of the Horizon Equity plan. Concrete actions are underway, including leadership training for female managers, which was nominated for the Public Actors Awards in 2023. A Diversity and Anti-Discrimination Officer, along with local Equality and Diversity representatives, are in place. A system for reporting discrimination and a parenting guide have also been established.
Specific actions are dedicated to combating sexist and sexual violence, including awareness days with workshops and a theater forum performance. These initiatives aim to involve all hierarchical levels in promoting professional equality and diversity.
