The Swiss voice in the world since 1935

Crans-Montana first responders to receive first national ‘helping hand’ award

Crans Montana Le Constellation bar fire
The fire in the early hours of New Year's Day claimed 41 lives and injured 115 people. Keystone / Jean-Christophe Bott

On December 8, the organisation helfen helfen Suisse will present the national Helfende Hand (Helping Hand) award for the first time. This inaugural ceremony, which will take place in the presence of Justice Minister Beat Jans and former Valais cantonal president Mathias Reynard, will pay tribute to the emergency and rescue services deployed during the fire in Crans-Montana.

With the Helping Hand award, helfen helfen Schweiz – a charitable organisation founded in Basel in 2017 – is establishing a national honour to recognise extraordinary achievements in exceptional emergency situations.

The ceremony will take place at the Bern Military Barracks, with the support of the Swiss Armed Forces. This initiative is backed by several sponsoring organisations, such as the Swiss Firefighters’ Federation, the Swiss Federation of Police Officers and the Valais Ambulance Workers’ Association.

+ Italy and Switzerland still contest Crans-Montana fire victims bill

Around 400 guests are expected, including the honoured emergency and rescue services from Valais, neighbouring cantons and neighbouring border regions.

The award is intended for individuals from all parts of the emergency response chain who were involved in the initial response to the New Year’s Crans-Montana fire at Le Constellation bar, which claimed 41 lives and injured 115 people.

+ How we produce news in English

Translated from French, reviewed by an English Department journalist. 

Related Stories

Popular Stories

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR