The concept
People living in mountain areas, either for professional reasons or to pratice sport, suffer specific health problems requiring specialised health care commonly known as “mountain medicine”. The problems are directly or indirectly linked to atmospheric and environmental variations characteristic of high altitude and mountain regions. Treating such problems requires special skills and warrants consideration as a seperate field of research for public health purposes.IFREMMONT was created so that a suitably adapted health care can be developed by a well-known and reputable organisation. It hopes to give those concerned necessary support to ensure their security, as well as train rescue teams, develop rescue techniques, create an emergency network, validate protocols, and teach, inform and promote prevention.
Founding members
The project originated from Emmanuel Cauchy and the DMTM (Département de médecine et de traumatologie de montagne de Chamonix, Depatment of mountain medicine and traumatology, based in Chamonix) in coordination with the following agencies : the European Community, the Rhône-Alpes Regional Authority, the Conseil Général of the Haute Savoie département, the SIVOM du pays du Mont Blanc (Syndicat Intercommunal à Vocations Multiples, regroupment of 14 local authorities situated near Mont Blanc), the Hôpitaux du pays du Mont-Blanc: Mont Blanc Regional Health Board, l’Ecole Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme (ENSA), the official French ski instructor and mountain guide training academy.