Two full-time militarised armed
corps exist under the operational direction of the chief commander, and the political control of the Department of the Interior. One is the
Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Monaco, and the other is the
Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince. Both units are part of both military and
civil defence plans and are key to the "ORMOS Red Plan" which makes provision for the evacuation of Monaco in case of
natural disaster, or civil emergency.
Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers Describing itself as a military force, the Corps consists of 10 officers, 26 non-commissioned officers and 99 other ranks (with 25 civilian employees), providing fire, hazardous materials, rescue, and emergency medical services. The officers' ranks (in descending order of seniority) are: Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commandant, Captain, Lieutenant, and Sub-Lieutenant. There are a further nine ranks of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel. Officers generally have served in the French military's fire service. Based at two barracks (one in
La Condamine and one in
Fontvieille), the Corps is equipped with fire engines, rescue vehicles and a range of specialist vehicles, including a fire boat and sealed tracked vehicles for entering Monaco's railway tunnels during an emergency. Beyond fire-fighting duties, the Corps has an extensive civil defence brief. Its personnel are trained in the use of firearms, and the Corps has a central armoury. Personnel are trained to handle chemical incidents, and have specialist chemical incident vehicles and equipment. They are also equipped with ambulances and personnel have
paramedic training.
Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince Literally translated "Company of
Carabiniers of the Prince", the English-language version of the official Government website translates the name as "The Palace Guards". Each officer has trained and served with the French military. Its primary duty is the defence of the prince and the
Prince's Palace in the
Monaco-Ville (old town) quartier of Monaco. By extension, it also has a role in guarding members of the judiciary, who administer justice in the name of the prince. There are a number of specialist units within the Compagnie des
Carabiniers du Prince, which include a motorcycle section (for rapid-response and motorcycle outriding); a bodyguard and protection unit; a diving unit with military, rescue and scientific capabilities; and a military
first-aid unit that provides first aid and ambulance cover at public and sporting events. The ceremonial "
changing of the guard" at 11:55am each day attracts large numbers of tourists. The ceremony is more than just a tourist spectacle, as this small military force is the front line of defence of the Monegasque princely family.
L'Orchestre militaire Despite its title of "military orchestra", this section, which is attached to the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince, provides a full range of military music, including an orchestra, a ceremonial marching band, and state trumpeters, under the command of a Chef de l'Orchestre, with the rank of Commandant (Major). The band was established in 1978 and consists of 24 soldiers. ==Rank and insignia==