Jean-Luc Chenut, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the SDIS of Ille-et-Vilaine and Julien Carmona, Chairman of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa signed a partnership agreement which will promote the civic engagement of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa employees in Brittany in the exercise of their missions as volunteer firefighters.

Crédit Mutuel Arkéa is committed to supporting the firefighters of Ille-et-Vilaine by signing an agreement that allows its employees, who are also volunteer firefighters, to be more readily available for training or to respond to emergencies when their working conditions permit.

This is the fourth agreement signed with the Breton fire and rescue services, following official signings in Finistère, Côtes d’Armor, and then Morbihan. Nearly fifteen employees of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa are already benefiting from this arrangement. They receive up to 12 days per year, granted during working hours, to fulfill their duties as volunteer firefighters, including 5 days specifically dedicated to training. When their professional activities are compatible with these missions, they also have the option to arrive later at their workplace for the purpose of an intervention. It should be noted that volunteer firefighters are compensated when they are called for an operational mission: Crédit Mutuel Arkéa supports their commitment by ensuring full salary maintenance as a supplement.

The signing of this agreement illustrates Crédit Mutuel Arkéa's commitment to promoting a balance between professional life and civic engagement among its employees. It also aims to inspire other employees to become involved through a formal and secure framework. This commitment also contributes to strengthening the operational capacity of the rescue services in Ille-et-Vilaine, where 440 employers have signed availability agreements with the SDIS to promote the availability of 968 volunteer firefighters.

"I am pleased with the signing of the agreement between SDIS 35 and Crédit Mutuel Arkéa, which thus joins the 440 employers in Brittany already mobilized to support the engagement of volunteer firefighters. By facilitating the availability of its employees, this company is making a concrete contribution to safety and solidarity in Ille-et-Vilaine. Volunteering is a cornerstone of our rescue model: nearly 80% of firefighters in Ille-et-Vilaine are volunteers. Supporting their daily actions means participating in the maintenance of effective local rescue services. Together, local authorities and businesses, let us continue to value those who commit to protect and assist their fellow citizens."

Jean-Luc Chenut
President of the Ille-et-Vilaine Departmental Council and the Board of Directors of SDIS 35

"Being a mission-driven company also means knowing how to support the civic commitments of our employees and providing them with the concrete means to act for society. Their availability for rescue and safety missions exemplifies the strong link between individual commitment and collective responsibility. As a cooperative and mutualist group, we are keen to support these initiatives that contribute to the public good, whether they are civil or military. By facilitating the balance between professional life and civic engagement, we affirm our desire to value these inspiring journeys and to strengthen our contribution to social cohesion in our territories."

Julien Carmona
President of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa and President of Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne