Mamoudou Gassama, the Paris “Spiderman” who scaled four floors of an apartment block to rescue a child dangling from a balcony, has begun his new role in the Paris fire service.
Gassama, who reportedly began work yesterday after completing initial training, is pictured in the centre of the back row:
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The civic service scheme allows young people aged 18 to 25 to spend 10 months working full-time at a fire station, receiving a monthly stipend of around €600.
It is not yet known whether Gassama intends to pursue training to become a full-time firefighter after finishing his placement at the Champerret fire station in the 17th arrondissement.
Gassama became a viral superstar in May when he was filmed clambering up the side of the building to bring a four-year-old boy to safety.
His feat of courage and acrobatic skill transformed him overnight from undocumented migrant sleeping on floors to national hero, feted by the president at the Elysee Palace.
Emmanuel Macron presented Gassama with a certificate and medal commemorating his bravery - but, even more important to the unemployed young immigrant, a promise of French citizenship and a role in the fire brigade.
Gassama has kept a low public profile since the heroic rescue, shunning invites to appear on television.
However, speaking to a CNN reporter as he was being shown around his new workplace at the end of May, he said he felt “really good” about his placement. “I’ve seen a lot that really interests me,” he said.
Meanwhile, the father of the four-year-old boy at the heart of the drama is set to stand trial in September on charges of neglecting his parental responsibilities. He faces a maximum sentences of two years in prison.
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