Volunteer firefighter and nurse, Maud Jouve from Mende dedicates her life to others

Maud Jouve.

La jeune femme de 29 ans revient des Jeux paralympiques de Paris 2024, où elle est partie prêter main-forte en compagnie d’un autre lozérien, Thomas Aubert, originaire de Vialas.

Being of service to others, whether through her job or her commitment, is the full life that Maud Jouve has chosen, who juggles her job as a nurse and volunteering with the firefighters. Maud was born in Mende in 1995, to parents from Lozère and Corrèze. She attended school in Mende and obtained a BAC STS2 (Health and Social Sciences and Technologies) and did odd jobs while preparing for the nursing exam. She failed the exam, but passed the nursing assistant exam. After graduating, she worked for a year at the Chaldecoste retirement home.

Tenacious, she tried her luck again the following year. She successfully passed the nursing exam. She studied for three years at the Nursing Training Institute (IFSI) in Mende. She was vice-president and president of the student office. “I do a lot of internships outside to see how things work in other departments. In 2021, I graduated as a nurse and I went to work at the Saint-Jean clinic in Saint-Jean-de-Védas in the intensive care unit.” Her smile, good humor and kindness win over patients.

First aid instructor

In 2013, she joined the Mende firefighters. “I have always been immersed in it. As his only granddaughter, my grandfather, Yves Planchon, influenced me very well. Since I was little, he took me to the fire station and praised the merits of this commitment. In 2022, I have a double assignment in Hérault, where I am a volunteer firefighter in addition to the Lozère firefighters. In 2024, I become a volunteer nurse with the Lozère firefighters and I leave the Hérault firefighters. At the same time, I am taking a six-month resuscitation training course, which I successfully completed. Since 2024, I have been a first aid instructor. The Departmental Union of Firefighters (UDSP) is setting up training courses to teach first aid to young children. I have been with the Lozère Firefighters' Association for seven years, three years as vice-secretary and four and a half years as treasurer.

“My second family”

For those interested, the firefighters recruit people from 16 to 55 years old. “I learned a lot there and I grew up there since I was 16 and a half,” says Maud Jouve. There have been difficult times and easier times. For me, firefighters are my second family. When I heard my grandfather say it, I didn't understand. We live through wonderful times and more difficult times. I wouldn't stop for anything in the world. I can advise motivated young people who want to help to try their luck and sign up."