Paris Spiderman Mamoudou Gassama starts work as a firefighter

Malian migrant hero who rescued toddler
from balcony will spend ten months in paid youth volunteer
scheme

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The 22-year-old Malian was one of 24 new “civic service”
volunteer firefighters introduced to the public in a social media
post by the city’s fire department.

Gassama, who reportedly began work yesterday
after completing initial training, is pictured in the centre of the
back row:

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.