© Domingos Oliveira
Grand Duke Henri marked his final official visit to Luxembourg's fire and rescue corps this week by presenting a new national insignia honouring the service's unity, achievements, and enduring commitment to public safety.
Grand Duke Henri made his final official visit to the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) on Wednesday, where he awarded a new national insignia symbolising unity and commitment among Luxembourg's emergency services. During a ceremony at the National Fire and Rescue Centre on Thursday, the Grand Duke personally presented the Fourragère – a braided cord with five knots representing the five pillars of the CGDIS – to ten service members.
The insignia honours the corps' achievements since its creation in 2018, including more than half a million interventions and an average of one emergency call response every seven seconds. The Fourragère, officials said, is meant to reinforce identity and cohesion across the service, keeping alive the corps' guiding principle: being there for the public when every second counts.
The two additional cords on the Fourragère stand for CGDIS's core missions: firefighting and rescue, and medical emergency response. Home Affairs Minister Léon Gloden and CGDIS Director Paul Schreider both highlighted how the unified structure has improved efficiency and coordination nationwide. Gloden also stressed the symbolic weight of the corps carrying the 'grand-ducal' title.
In his address, the Grand Duke reflected on major events of recent years and expressed gratitude for the dedication of rescue workers. As a token, he received a personalised firefighter's helmet.
Beyond the ceremony, the event served as a reminder of challenges ahead – from climate change and natural disasters to staffing pressures.
