CITERNEO, founded in 2007, is a family business specializing in flexible tanks. Located in Amboise, it manufactures tanks from 1 to 2,500 m³ for a variety of liquids, including fire reserves.
The importance of DFCI
Défense des Forêts Contre les Incendies (DFCI) (Defending Forests Against Fires) is a crucial issue for the preservation of our natural heritage and the safety of our communities. With climate change and increasing periods of drought, forest fires have become a major threat. In this context, CITERNEO flexible tanks are proving to be an indispensable innovation for boosting firefighting capabilities against these destructive fires.
In 2023, France has taken significant steps to improve its response to forest fires. The addition of nine water bomber aircraft and helicopters, bringing the total number to 47, and the establishment of a new civil security air base in the southwest, have strengthened the country's rapid response capability. Yet the year 2024 is already marked by several devastating fires, exacerbated by extreme weather conditions, highlighting the urgent need for additional solutions.
Recognition by firefighters
The effectiveness of CITERNEO flexible tanks was recognized on TF1's 8 o'clock news by firefighters. Firefighters innovate to cope with forest fires. Among the latest innovations deployed, CITERNEO flexible tanks stand out. Highlighted in the report broadcast on TF1's 8 o'clock news on June 27, firefighters from the Pyrénées-Orientales region particularly emphasized their efficiency: "To save time, a new system has just been put in place. It consists of a flexible tank containing 120 m³ of water, the equivalent of a dozen trucks. In five minutes, everything's ready."
Our flexible tanks, already recognized and widely used within the DECI framework, comply with the recommendations of the Service Départemental d'Incendie et de Secours (SDIS) and the national referential for External Fire Defense (DECI) set by the decree of December 15, 2015. They offer a simple, economical and reliable solution for complying with the law.
Use in DFCI
The use of CITERNEO flexible tanks in DFCI is a logical extension. Designed for rapid set-up and resistance to extreme conditions, they provide firefighters with rapid access to large quantities of water, even in the most remote areas.
Resistance and effectiveness
A poignant testimony to the effectiveness of CITERNEO tanks has reached us from Mr. Yann Lebel, a resident of Cogolin in the Var, after the devastating fires of August 2021:
"Hello, We live in Cogolin in the Var, we suffered the fire and you SAVED our lives. We have 2 tanks from you of 30 and 40 m³, 2 motor pumps, and we watered from 7 pm to 4 am to save house and land. Despite burnt grass around the perimeter of the tank, I didn't feel any major burns on my hand."
After an on-site inspection, we found that, despite the intense heat and proximity of the flames, the tank remained intact with no leaks, proving the robustness of our products and their effectiveness in responding to flames.
Benefits for local authorities
CITERNEO flexible tanks offer many advantages for local authorities, particularly those faced with the absence or scarcity of natural water points. They can be installed almost anywhere, can be filled during periods of high rainfall, and are heat-resistant. Our cisterns, approved by the SDIS (Services Départementaux d'Incendie et de Secours), are a reliable, cost-effective solution for storing and distributing water in emergencies. Subsidies are available, and communes should check with their local authorities to take advantage of them.
Communes, especially smaller ones, benefit greatly from this solution, which enables them to boost their fire-fighting capacity even with constrained budgets. Several départements have already taken steps to invest in these systems, recognizing their crucial importance to civil security.
CITERNEO: The partner of France's SDIS
For over 17 years, CITERNEO has been designing and manufacturing flexible tanks dedicated to fire reserve. We regularly work with the SDIS to constantly improve our flexible tanks and their accessories. We frequently welcome fire-fighters to our production site, so that they can practice on our 800 m³ fire tank. These exchanges are invaluable for both them and our sales team. It reinforces our expertise and enables us to better answer our customers' questions, thus ensuring better quality of service.
CITERNEO actively supports France's SDIS, as evidenced by the donations of test tanks, for example to the Charente fire department in 2020. As part of Défense des Forêts Contre les Incendies (DFCI), we invite France's SDIS to contact us to find out more about our products; we'll be delighted to support them in their essential missions of protecting natural areas against fire.