Michel Gentilleau received the Knight's Cross Award as he officially retired from his long service to CTIF and Euro NCAP

At Delegates Assembly 2026 in Hannover one of the most prominent figures within our organization announced his official retirement: As Michel Gentilleau, France, was awarded a medal for his service, he became the first member to receive the prestigious Knight's Cross Award from CTIF. 

Few figures have done more to advance the safety of firefighters and road‑rescue crews worldwide than Michel Gentilleau, Lieutenant‑Colonel in the French fire service and long‑serving Vice‑Chair of the CTIF Commission for Extrication and New Technology. 

In recognition of his decades of international leadership, technical innovation, and unwavering commitment to first‑responder safety, Gentilleau has been awarded the CTIF Knight’s Cross, one of the organization’s highest honors.

Gentilleau has represented the French Firefighters Federation (FNSPF) within the CTIF Extrication and New Technology Commission, while simultaneously serving as CTIF’s representative to the Euro NCAP Rescue, Extrication and Safety Group. His work has helped fundamentally reshape how modern vehicles are designed, tested, and documented for post‑crash rescue operations.

A Decade of Impact: Building the CTIF–Euro NCAP Partnership

Gentilleau played a central role in embedding “tertiary safety”—the critical phase after a collision—into the Euro NCAP star‑rating system. Working closely with industry leaders such as former Euro NCAP President Pierre Castaing and Secretary General Michiel Van Ratingen, he ensured that the needs of firefighters became a formal part of vehicle safety evaluation.

This work directly led to:

• the creation of the Euro Rescue app, now downloaded 1.2 million times worldwide,
• the integration of standardized ISO 17840 rescue sheets,
• the translation of the CTIF Electric Vehicle Emergency Response Guide into several languages
• and the inclusion of new Euro NCAP protocols addressing automatic door unlocking, door‑opening forces, retractable handles, battery isolation, and vehicle submersion scenarios.

These achievements have made modern vehicles safer not only for occupants, but also for the firefighters who must access them under extreme conditions.

Global Leadership in New‑Energy Vehicle Safety

As electric vehicles became more common, Gentilleau emerged as one of Europe’s most authoritative voices. His expertise has been featured internationally, including on Radio‑Canada/CBC’s Découverte, and he has served as a lecturer to fire services across South America through the Organización de Bomberos Americanos (OBA).

Transition and Continuity

In announcing his upcoming departure from his CTIF and Euro NCAP roles effective June 30, 2026, Gentilleau expressed deep gratitude to the colleagues and leaders who supported him throughout his tenure. He highlighted the contributions of CTIF Presidents Tore Eriksson, Milan Dubravac, and CTIF Treasurer Tom Van Esbroeck for creating the extrication commission and for driving forward this essential topic (road rescue) in the world of firefighters.

He also said his sincere thanks to Thanks to Colonels Cédric Rigollet and Serge Delaunay for standing by his side over the years in the field of “Emergency response with alternative energy vehicles”

He sincerely thanked the French Firefighters Federation (FNSPF) , particularly Mr Bellanger (Chief of Staff to the President), Christophe Marchal  (Vice-President of FNSPF and CTIF), as well as the three successive presidents (Eric Faure, Grégory Allione, Jean-Paul Bosland) ) for their trust and unwavering support.

• He thanked Pierre Castaing  (former President of Euro NCAP and in constant contact with Gentilleau for the past 10 years) and Michiel Van Ratingen  (Secretary General of Euro NCAP) for their understanding of firefighter-related issues, their decisive support for the creation of the “Safety, Rescue and Extrication” group, the designation of CTIF as the firefighters’ representative, and the financial investment in developing the Euro Rescue application
• Thorsten Adolph ( representative of the European automobile manufacturers, ACEA), for your frank and vigorous exchanges 😉, yet always respectful, all with the common goal of improving vehicle safety. 
• Céline Adalian  (Chairwoman of the Rescue Sheet ISO group ), for her unconditional support for the fire brigade, for her expertise, enthusiasm, and constant contributions. 

He expressed "thanks especially to to Jörg Heck  for accompanying me throughout these years within the Euro NCAP group and for accepting to take over as project leader, and to Mark Bokdam for assuming the role of chairman of the Extrication Commission". 

He also confirmed that:

• Commandant Dimitri Pelletier (SDIS 86) will succeed him as FNSPF representative to CTIF and as CTIF representative to Euro NCAP.
• Jörg Heck of the German fire services will assume his role as Euro NCAP project leader.
• Mark Bokdam will continue as Chair of the CTIF Extrication Commission.

Michel will continue to support the transition on several ongoing initiatives, including CTIF–Latin NCAP cooperation  and Euro Rescue integration with vehicle‑registration systems.

A Fitting Honor

The CTIF Knight’s Cross recognizes individuals whose contributions have significantly advanced the mission of the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services. Through technical expertise, diplomacy, global advocacy, and a relentless focus on firefighter safety, Michel Gentilleau has left an enduring legacy on the world of road rescue and post‑crash safety.

His work will continue to shape international standards, vehicle design, and firefighter training for years to come.