Raymond Belle

Raymond Belle (3 October 1939 in French Indochina – 1999) was a French soldier and firefighter.

History

Raymond Belle was born in Vietnam (known as French Indochina) but his father died during the First Indochina War and Raymond was separated from his mother during the division of Vietnam in 1954. He was taken by the French Army in Da Lat and received a military education and training that shaped his character.cite web |url=http://parkour.net/modules/articles/item.php?itemid=3 |title=Raymond Belle's biography |date=2006-02-17 |work=Original French biography sourced from 'Allo Dix-Huit', the magazine of the Parisian pompiers. |publisher=Parkour.NET |accessdate=2007-09-29 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060217200929/parkour.net/modules/articles/item.php?itemid=3 |archivedate=2006-02-17]

With final of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, Raymond was repatriated to France and completed his military education in 1958. Although trained to kill, he would go on to save lives. At age 19, his unique physical fitness and willingness allowed him to serve at Paris' regiment of "sapeurs-pompiers" (military firefighters).

With his athletic ability, Raymond became the regiment's champion rope-climber and joined the regiment's elite team, composed of the unit's fittest and most agile firefighters. Its peerless members were the ones called upon to take on only the most difficult and dangerous rescue missions.

Lauded for his coolness, courage, and spirit of self-sacrifice, Raymond was to have a key role in the Parisian firefighters' first ever helicopter-borne operation. His many rescues, medals and exploits gave him a reputation of being an exceptional "pompier" and inspired the next young generation, especially his son David Belle and Sébastien Foucan — David's childhood colleague.cite web |url=http://www.urbanfreeflow.com/the_core_level/pages/archives/foucan_interview.htm |title=Sébastien Foucan interview |date=2006 |author=ez |publisher=urbanfreeflow.com |accessdate=2007-10-14]

He became a renowned firefighter of extraordinary athleticism and ability, dedicating his life to physical well being. He was described as nothing less than a 'force of nature'.

Raymond closely followed the teachings of Georges Hébert, namely from his book "méthode naturelle" in learning how best to overcome obstacles fluidly in a natural environment. He died in 1999.

References