In France you have 2 police forces: the Police Nationale and the Gendarmerie Nationale.
The police nationale is a civilian force doing police missions and in charge of 20% of the territory but 80% of the population.
The Gendarmerie is a military force doing police missions and in charge of 80% of the territory and 20% of the population. You see mostly the Gendarmerie in small town and the countryside. They have all the "police" helicopters and under an agreement provide the Police Nationale with helicopters if needed.
They are also in charge of 50% of the mountain rescue missions (the other 50% are flown by the Sécurité Civile).
Percentages are given as an indication as it changes every year.
They have a fleet of around 60 helicopters: Ec145, 135 and 350.
All its helicopter pilots' and crewmen are fully commissioned police officers, in every right. They can legally do everything a standard policeman can do, although for complex matters they will use ground personnel. Nevertheless they can witness and investigate.
Crewman can be either winchman, FLIR operator or flight navigation helper depending on the mission.
For the area where the 320 crashed the unit that first responded is Digne. They are a 145 mountain rescue unit, on immediate call during the day. From phone call to takeoff they usually manage less than 10 minutes. This unit belongs to a "group of air support units" based in Hyeres and they provided the backup 350 and 135.
Because of their combined mountain knowledge, police prerogatives and very short reaction times they usually end up being first on scene. The 145 provides a good payload to carry investigation or rescue units. The 135 is great for its FLIR and the 350 is a do it all helicopter.
It's pilots have either a military aviation background and joined the Gendarmerie with around 1500 hours or former ground units Gendarme. To be posted to a mountain unit you usually need around 1000 hours (usually more) and successfully pass a 100 hours mountain flying course.
They are not subordinate in any way to the Army aviation, it's a separate force. Nevertheless the French Army aviation provides the initial training and they have military flight licenses (and also have a basic civilian CPL), and a very few a civilian IR, FI, TRI or TRE.
Units have a chain of command but are usually very free (per military standards) to decide on their daily operations.
Their area of operation, except for some specific units, are rather very large. No way you reach any part of your area in 20-30 minutes. It is rather 40-50 minutes!
Can you join as a civilian or a foreigner? No.
How much do they fly a year: 200 hours?
Average salary: 2500-3500 euros met with included housing, 220 days worked, but almost no limit to daily duty.
Hope you found it informative!
Cheers.
Ps: just some info on the Gendarmerie helicopters as they were the closest and first on scene, but of course on such large events other actors come into play: Sécurité Civile, SAMU (EMS) and Armee de l'air (French Air Force).
Last edited by EC145Pilot; 27th Mar 2015 at 22:04.