“Design made us look differently at our firefighters’ daily routine”
Thomas Buisson, a Master’s student in Responsible Innovation decided to put his know-how to use in upgrading the work conditions of firefighters. His initiative paved the way to a beautiful encounter between the young designer and Captain Jean-Baptiste Floch, appointed Head of the Carquefou Fire and Emergency Services in the vicinity of Nantes (Loire region). Benjamin Walker, Head of the Responsible Innovation research unit asked the firefighting officer a few questions about his collaboration with Thomas Buisson and his view on design.
Jean-Baptiste Floch, Head of the Fire Department Services (Carquefou)
A very supportive tutor
BEN WALKER:
How did you react when Master’s student, Thomas Buisson, contacted you regarding his final degree project for L’École de design?
JEAN-BAPTISTE FLOCH:
My department had already been approached by students from L’École de design three or four years ago about a short-term, in-house mission at the fire station. The students had decided to center their research on the pull station, our alarm. We had agreed to take them in at the emergency unit, and this turned out to be a positive collaboration. So, when Thomas Buisson came to us in April 2008 with a long-term, broadly scoped project in mind, I listened to what he had to say, and decided to offer him the same opportunity at the local fire station so that my team and I could support him in his research.
BEN WALKER:
Wasn’t it a bit strange to have a designer within your team?
JEAN-BAPTISTE FLOCH:
It sure does not happen everyday. When I submitted Thomas’s internship paperwork to my bosses, the Deputy Director, puzzled, contacted me right away inquiring about what our fire brigade could possibly have to do with L’École de design. I made a point of explaining to him what Thomas had in mind and where he was headed to demonstrate not only his personal commitment, but how he was willing to upgrade our material with his design proposals. We agreed upon a type of tutorship that would not have too much impact on our budget and our tasks.
Fire Line - Thomas Buisson - 2010
BEN WALKER:
You had to explain to him that there was more to a designer’s role than purely decorative, but rather real and ever-evolving change in the everyday?
JEAN-BAPTISTE FLOCH:
Yes, that’s right.
BEN WALKER:
This means that you were already aware of the functionality that design could offer?
JEAN-BAPTISTE FLOCH:
To be honest, I had heard of your school because it is located in our fire protection district. Thomas and I had already spoken on a couple of occasions, and this had shed more light on what design actually is. I knew that the student had more significant, long-term plans and a broader view that went well beyond the aesthetic dimension.
BEN WALKER:
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