This fire drill is part of the plan «cathedral security» of the Ministry of Culture which provides for the deployment of a series of specific measures to increase the level of security of the 87 cathedrals belonging to the State and the 5 Norman cathedrals (Coutances, Bayeux, Rouen, Sées, Evreux). It is implemented by the regional directorates of cultural affairs (DRAC), in charge of the maintenance and restoration of cathedrals.
Cathedral map in Normandy
The Drac of Normandy is responsible for five cathedrals: Coutances, Bayeux, Sées, Evreux and Rouen. It has been implementing the «cathedral security» plan there since October 2019.
Coutances Cathedral©CLaventure
In this regard, the cathedral of Coutances has been the subject of security operations since 2019. It has been the subject of major restoration works of its facades (nave and aisles) with its buttresses and buttresses as well as its covers (replacement of the roofs of the aisles). Similarly, its fire safety system was upgraded in 2023 and benefits from an extension of the automatic fire detection coverage to the belfry.
Focus on the compliance of electrical installations
Work to bring electrical installations into compliance took place between 2021 and 2022. This work, amounting to € 1,175,000, concerned the relocation of the low-voltage switchboard, lighting to enhance the architecture and works, security lighting, as well as the upgrading of all networks. The electrical compliance work was an opportunity to renew the old fire safety system equipment from the late 1990s. To maintain a satisfactory watch, the operation resulted in the replacement of the existing SSI with extension of the automatic fire detection coverage to the belfry. Thus the cathedral of Coutances, Institution of type V, 2nd category has a system of cat A associated with an alarm equipment of type 1 for an amount of 77 056.91 €. The service includes manual and automatic control of fire and smoke detectors throughout the building. These two projects are a direct consequence of the cathedral action plan
ExerciceIncendie©CLaventure
A double exercise : securing property and securing evacuation routes
The last evacuation fire drill, at Coutances Cathedral, was in December 2021. This operation, carried out on Monday, March 11, 2024, had a dual interest since it was based both on the deployment of the plan for the safeguarding of cultural property (the protection of valuables exhibited in the building: paintings, statues, etc.) as well as an exercise of “No Doubt” and more traditional early warning.
ExerciceIncendie©CLaventure
These exercises brought together teams from the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS 50), the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs of Normandy (DRAC Normandy), the Department 50, the city of Coutances, the Clergy, the Sub-prefecture of Coutances and Groupe d'Aide en cas de Sinistre Patrimonial (GASP of the Fabrique des Patrimoines in Normandy).
The national police (6 staff) also participated in the exercise on two missions: setting up a security perimeter and securing the works put under cover .
The services of the prefecture (chief sidpc) were present.
Security operations began at 7:30 p.m. It was based on a specific organization that was worked on and prepared beforehand:
- 7:30 pm: alarm triggered following a «false fire» in the sacristy
- Establishment of the Clearance of Doubt (Clergy) procedure;
- Arrival of Fire Fighters for Evacuation of Persons (SDIS);
- Launch of the inter-service procedure for securing works (SDIS, UDAP, DRAC, GASP);
- 19h30-20h: Conditioning of the works by the DRAC (operation provided for in the plan for safeguarding cultural property -PSBC- in which the evacuation and covering of protected objects of the Cathedral of Coutances is provided);
Focus on safeguarding cultural property It is a document that defines, in case of emergency, the priorities of actions on cultural property to plan the operations of displacement or protection on site. It is the operational tool that will guide and facilitate decisions made by the Relief Operations Commander and the Establishment Manager. This plan concerns all institutions, public and private, whose vocation is to preserve the works (museums, archives, libraries, churches, castles, historical monuments and foundations). |
- 20h: Call from the prefect of La Manche and the mayor of Coutances (on-site visit to the inter-service command post);
- 20:10: Transfer of the conditioned works to the Quesnel Morinière Museum (reception area);
- 20h30: Cover of the circata altar (major altar) in the choir of the cathedral;
- 21h–21h15: Reconditioning, return of transport crates and reinstallation of in situ goldsmithing.
A well protected cathedral
Both exercises went well. Bringing together the sub-prefect of Coutances, the mayor of the city of Coutances and the museum Quesnel Morinière, the rector of the Cathedral, 25 firefighters, the architect of the buildings of France and the curator of historical monuments, the national police, they have demonstrated the robustness of the safeguarding plan put in place in this major building of Normandy (optimal evacuation of property and people).
ExerciceIncendie©CLaventure
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