A word from our President
Mountains are meant to be a land of freedom. It is a natural environment that only the most pretentious of us can pretend to understand and master.
Although we cannot act on avalanches, landslides or snow bridges, we are able to adjust our behavior, our choices, and our equipment. Indeed, human factor is often the cause of mountain accidents.
Safety distances, rope length on glacier, appropriate equipment … can minimize, eventually avoid, disastrous consequences. For this reason, institutions such as rescue and mountain professionals, local sport clubs and individuals have joined their efforts to create our organization, La Chamoniarde.
The words “prevention” and “rescue” are inherent to the meaning of our association. The Office de Haute Montagne (Mountain Information Office) and Pôle Montagne Risk (Mountain Risk Center) are the driving force of our preventing actions. Few alpine regions provide such an exhaustive mountain data. Mountaineers and hikers who come to the Chamonix valley welcome and appreciate this valuable source of information. In winter, everyone can freely access the numerous avalanche search and practice parks. In case of a natural emergency situation and to counteract stress and loss of means, nothing matches regular avalanche search training.
In the field of action, free day courses led by mountain guides and rescuers are available. Their goal is to put into practice information and techniques described in alpine literature (avalanche searching, crevasse rescuing…). The rescue revolves around three complementary entities : government attached services PGHM (mountain Search and Rescue) , DAG (national rescue air detachment), Sécurité Civile (Fire Department), SMUR (Medical Emergency Assistance), ski patrols, and Mountain Rescue Organizations (rescue volunteers). Limits and prerogatives for their actions are not restrictive and they all work for the victim’s well-being.
The radio “Mont Blanc Safety Alert network” (SAMB) is the backbone of the rescue organization in the Chamonix valley. Annually, international gatherings (i.e. Triangular Mountain Rescue) or the IKAR – CISA meetings (International Commission for Alpine Rescue) aim at sharing views and information, in order to improve mountain rescue operations.
The role of the Chamoniarde is to coordinate rescue acting entities, to finance the purchase and development of new rescue equipment. The rescue sleigh Franco – Garda, now widespread around the world, is a visible illustration of this cooperation.
I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making our mountain safety actions possible. More particularly, I wish to thank the municipality of Chamonix, the Compagnie du Mont -Blanc and the SDIS 74 (regional Fire Department). Thanks to the commitment of my predecessors and of many others too, La Chamoniarde has become a key player in the field of mountain prevention and rescue.
History
Since 1946, mountains have attracted more and more visitors, with a significant increase in the number of mountain accidents. The mayor of Chamonix, legally responsible for safety within township limits, used to delegate mountain rescue operations to the President of the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix. However, facing a significant upsurge in the number of rescues, guides were no longer able to handle rescues by themselves.
The community of Chamonix soon became aware of an obvious need to enlarge and improve the means used in mountain rescuing. As a result, La Chamoniarde was established on 30th June, 1948. To compensate for the lack of public rescue services at that time, the association’s first role was to manage and organize rescues.
Since then rescue has evolved year after year. Nowadays, year-round-active rescue teams are made of professionals in Chamonix and in the other French alpine regions.
In 2001, La Chamoniarde merged with OHM (Mountain Information Office).
On a daily basis, La Chamoniarde organizes and supervises mountain rescues, informs and promotes safety, and organises training sessions. Although the town hall of Chamonix initiated our organization, its growth and expertise became a reliable fact thanks to the contribution of all sorts of partnerships and efforts…
La Chamoniarde aims at contributing to the development of safety in the mountains and at promoting knowledge of the Alpine environment to improve safety amongst individuals and group institutions. Situated at the foot of the Mont-Blanc range, la Chamoniarde gives a great importance to international cooperation.
In 2009, la Chamoniarde amended its constitution in order to develop a new rescue mission in sporting events around the Chamonix valley. It has been in charge of training and providing necessary knowledge updates for its members.
Missions
►Mountain Rescues
In some cases and in full collaboration with the national rescue network La Chamoniarde coordinates the necessary means to search missing people and rescue victims of mountain accidents.
La Chamoniarde takes part in research and development of rescue equipment. It runs some of the infrastructures of the town of Chamonix Mont-Blanc used to manage these operations.
It is the founder and supervisor of the safety radio network “Alert Mont-Blanc”. It was recently designated in charge of the GRA (Grand Réseau des Alpes, the great alpine radio network) which federates 5 radio alert networks throughout the Alps ( MontBlanc – Vanoise – Dauphine – Oisans/Ecrins – Ubaye/Alpes de Haute Provence ).
In addition national and international rescue societies exchange information with the assistance of La Chamoniarde.
►Preventive actions
Knowledge of the Alpine environment and conditions are together a guarantee for safety in the mountains. For this reason, La Chamoniarde uses various aids and means to improve public awareness of the risks inherent to all mountain outdoor activities. Located at the OHM (mountain information office), also the home of the Pôle Montagne Risk ( mountain awareness center), it provides a year-round information service on mountain conditions.
►Training
La Chamoniarde organizes awareness training days, supervised by mountain guides. These training sessions are open to local schools, sports clubs, residents and visitors. People interested in off-piste skiing can learn about avalanches, group management, safety on glacier, information reports and on how to assess terrain features. In summer, training days revolve around glacier travelling, including crevasse rescue (self-rescuing and hauling techniques).
Alpine activities extend beyond borders as does the friendship that connects us with the nearby Aosta valley. The Interreg project, a program to promote safety around the Mont-Blanc range, has enabled us to strengthen our collaboration through the “Montagne Sûre” Foundation, involved in similar activities.
►Rescuing people
La Chamoniarde is now involved in sporting events around the Chamonix valley, as a provider for rescue and assistance to injured athletes (“the Aiguilles Rouges Trail running race” – the Servoz “Chirva’thlon” –“North Face UTMB”…).
►Developing rescue equipment
La Chamoniarde participates in research and development for advanced rescue equipment (see section below).
Contribution to rescue equipment research
► Franco / Garda sleigh
Rescue mountain specialists from France (PGHM) and Italy, in partnership with TSL (snowshoeing market leader) collaborated in making up the advanced “FRANCO GARDA” rescue sleigh, named after a great rescuer from Val d’Aosta who perished in a mountain accident.
The European subsidized INTERREG 3 program helped financing the sleigh prototype. Yet, the Valdotan rescue subdivision and la Chamoniarde had to initially loan the money until the project was granted the subvention.
This rescue sleigh can be used on various terrain types. It is a light yet solid and reliable rescuing device. It was designed to be quickly operational. For land access rescues, it conveniently divides in three light sections (4 kg (10 lb.) maximum weight per person) to be carried up to the victim. The sleigh assembly is very easy thanks to a tied-in modular system to avoid item loss.
Components rigidity combined with efficient strapping allows the evacuation of casualties while medically treated in all types of rescue situations. Moreover, it provides a good thermal insulation. Seriousness of wounds and injury will decide on immobilization.
Solid and light accessories fixed on the main module allow:
Winching in victims directly from rock faces, winching up from a helicopter with a spin-free device , carrying a victim on a trail, ground transportation thanks to a removable wheel, sliding on all types of snow and terrain, evacuation from water using a waterproof protection membrane, stretcher evacuation.
Doctors and rescuers from France and the Italian Aosta valley have been using this sleigh for a long time. In addition, It was tested by the ENSA (French mountaineering and skiing training center) certified mountain equipment test center in Chamonix.
It was presented to the CISA-IKAR worldwide rescue congress in 2005. The sleigh is now used by many countries in various action fields (coast guards – fire department – building industry).
► Snow conveyor
In some complex and dangerous situations , ensuring the safety of rescuers themselves can be problematic.
Thus arose the idea of using a snow conveyor. The risk of an over- accident can be substantial, specifically in research operations and during the digging out and extraction of an avalanche victim (over-avalanche, ice fall…).
The objective was to create a mechanical system able to remove snow and ice blocks as quickly as possible in difficult conditions, simultaneously adapted to helicopter and ground transportation.
La Chamoniarde initiated the development project for the conveyor. A Rouen manufacturer specialized in rolling strips (The Société Technique et Commerciale de Manutention de Rouen ) collaborated with the Search and Rescue Chamonix department ( PGHM) to manufacture the conveyor prototype. The final product was successfully field tested in March 2010.
Mountain Rescue Conference
Started in 1986, the TRIANGULAR MOUNTAIN RESCUE CONFERENCE is a yearly event, which gathers the Chamonix , Courmayeur and Zermatt mountain rescue teams.
The meeting aims at :
• Strengthening friendship between rescuers from the 3 alpine countries.
• Promoting collaboration between the different mountain rescue services across the three borders.
• Comparing and exchanging views on rescuing techniques and equipment in use.
► Icar
Established in 1948, the International Comission for Alpine Rescue (IKAR in German) gathers 36 countries.
This international commission sets the fundamental framework and equipment standards for search and rescue operations around the world.
It is a fantastic opportunity for communication between mountain rescuers. It is divided in four committees: land rescue, air rescue, avalanche and a medical.
36 countries are represented in the IKAR: full members : Andorra – Argentina – Australia – Austria – Bosnia Herzegovina – Bulgaria – Canada – China – Croatia – Czech Republic – France – Germany – Greece – Iceland – Ireland – Italy – Japan – Liechtenstein – Macedonia – Montenegro – Nepal – New Zealand – Norway – Poland – Republic of Korea – Romania – Scotland – Serbia – Slovakia – Slovenia – South Africa – Spain – Sweden – Switzerland – United Kingdom – USA.
► Exercice avalanche
Galerie photos
Each year early season, La Chamoniarde organises an avalanche training.
All the professional workers which could be called to participate on big mountain rescue are invited.
Rescue patrolers, helicopter crews, “SMUR montagne”, Guide companies, Ski schools, rescue dog trainers, CNISAG, CNEAS, EMHM, UCPA, ENSA, Firemen… meet to work together.
Reactivity, competence but also a good organization are the keys of well done rescue.
Supporting our organization
Saving lives is our leitmotiv. To achieve this objective, we mainly focus on 2 points, prevention amongst the public at large and with regards to mountain accidents, and contribution to mountain rescues.
You can help us in several ways :
– Financially through a gift or legacy
– Humanly by joining the Chamoniarde and becoming an actor in the life of our association
– By giving your time to help us during the various actions we conduct.
Statutes & Members
Since it was established on 30th June 1948, la Chamoniarde has changed its constitution several times.
The board of directors
Président : Jean-Christophe Béche : Mountain guide – Ski instructor
Vice-président : Emerick Desvaux – Compagnie du Mont Blanc – Ski Patrol
Secretary : Anne Galdeano – Mountain leader
Vice Secretary : Ludovic Ravanel – Mountain leader – Climbing instructor – CNRS scientist
Treasurer : Olivier Gayan – Ski patrol – Mountain guide
Vice Treasurer : Marc Soriano – Ski patrol
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