Driven by a desire to preserve history, a team of current and former firefighters from Tarbes began in 1980 to search for, locate, and recover vehicles and equipment from various municipalities in the department.
This initiative was launched to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Tarbes Fire Department (1830–1980), for which a parade of vintage vehicles and a display of historic equipment were organized.
With the cooperation of the mayor at the time, the hand-operated fire pump from the town of Soues—as well as the first item in the current collection—was retrieved in the dead of night to avoid criticism and the disapproving glances of some.
The discovery of an 18-meter wooden ladder, of the “Rosalie” type used by the security service of the former arsenal, further fueled the team’s motivation, though its restoration required many hours of work.
On June 10, 1980, Jean Marie Daureu founded the association “Les Amis du Musée des Sapeurs-pompiers de Tarbes” (Friends of the Tarbes Firefighters’ Museum), of which he became the first president, long assisted by Michel Girard.
Highly motivated, he remained president until 2011, when he stepped down from this position for health reasons.
Driven by his passion, throughout all those years, he devoted nearly all of his days to traveling throughout the department in search of firefighting vehicles and equipment or to restoring them.
Displayed in a 1,700-square-meter space, generously provided by the municipality of Tarbes, the exhibition currently features: 45 fire and emergency vehicles, 23 motorized fire pumps, 13 hand pumps, and a large collection of uniforms and clothing (French and foreign), helmets and caps, books and documentation, miniatures, and other items related to firefighting heroes.
Tarbes Firefighters’ Museum
Rue du Magasin aux Tabacs – Building 116
65000 Tarbes
Tel.: 06 19 65 37 98
Translated with DeepL.com
(free version)
