A tragic accident occurred on Tuesday, June 3, in the Place de la République in Bergerac. While firefighters from Bergerac, part of the departmental intervention group for perilous environments (Grimp), were conducting an exercise in an underground parking facility, Chief Warrant Officer Mickael Brezault , aged 53, fell approximately 10 meters through open grilles. According to initial reports, the incident happened during the debriefing session.
At around 10:30 AM , police officers, emergency medical services (SMUR), and other firefighting teams rushed to the scene. The resuscitation attempts by rescue personnel were sadly unsuccessful. “This is a very standard exercise,” stated Alain Rivière, the General Controller and Director of the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (Sdis24) . “It involves a rescue operation in excavation.”
The professional firefighter was described as “ particularly seasoned ” and was responsible for the operation. His colleagues are extremely shaken. “We will initiate our psychological support unit this afternoon with our expert psychologist to assist the firefighters in Bergerac,” Alain Rivière added. Mickael Brezault was married and the father of a 15-year-old child. He was awarded the Interior Security Medal with the “Sapeurs-Pompiers” silver clasp in October 2024.
Chief Warrant Officer Mickael Brezault was married and father to a teenager of 15 years.
Sud Ouest
Tributes
“This sudden and terrible tragedy deeply affects all the men and women in our corps,” Sdis24 stated in a publication on Facebook. “It leaves the memory of a dedicated firefighter who practiced his profession with passion and commitment .” Jean-Paul Bosland, President of the National Federation of Firefighters of France, also expressed support for Brezault’s family. “I think of the terrible pain of his family, his loved ones, and colleagues,” he said.
Bruno Retailleau, the Minister of the Interior, also paid tribute to the Chief Warrant Officer. “I offer my full support and compassion to his wife, his 16-year-old son, and all the firefighters in Dordogne. The civil security community is in mourning due to this tragedy. I stand with them,” he remarked.
The Grimp firefighters, based in Bergerac, regularly train at the Place de la République. An investigation has been launched by the Bergerac police department to determine the precise causes of the accident.