"We have a dream that the preventive activity we conduct together with other services and with Tatra National Park contributes to the decrease in the number of accidents, both in the Tatra mountains and on the numerous ski slopes in our region," says Adam Marasek, long-time deputy chief of the Tatra Mountains Voluntary Rescue Service. Interview by Agnieszka Wójcik.
Ready to Help
Pursuant to article 29 of the Act on the Fields of Government Administration of 4 September 1997, the minister of interior and administration is in charge of the tasks concerning mountain and water rescue. The following subjects perform those tasks: the Voluntary Mountain Rescue Service, a specialist nationwide association, the Tatra Mountains Voluntary Rescue Service, a specialist association performing rescue actions on the area of the Tatra Mountains and Spisz-Gubałówka Range, the Voluntary Water Rescue Service, a specialist nationwide association and the Masuria Rescue Service, as a physical training association conducting rescue actions on the area of Masurian Lake District. Agnieszka Wójcik writes about voluntary rescue services.
Not For Show ... To Learn
The 5th International and 9th Polish National Manoeuvres of the Height Rescue "Poznań 2009" took place from 3 to 5 November. They were organized by the National HQ of the SFS, the Regional HQ of the SFS and the City HQ of the SFS in Poznań. The participants of the manoeuvres represented different formations and organizations dealing with height rescue or using rope rescue techniques in their work - the State Fire Service, the Volunteer Fire Service, the Polish Red Cross, the Voluntary Mountain Rescue Service, the Internal Security Agency, Central Investigation Bureau, the Government Protection Bureau, the Military Gendarmerie and guests from Germany and Lithuania. Altogether there were 74 persons participating in the exercises. An analysis prepared by the Regional HQ and the City HQ of the SFS in Poznań.
Explosion in Bydgoszcz
On the Saturday morning of 21 November 2009 nothing foreshadowed a tragedy which took place in one of the housing estates in Bydgoszcz. About 10.20 am a huge explosion rocked the whole district of Wyżyny. Paweł Frątczak reports on the rescue action.
Never Too Much Practice
In the previous years there have been several industrial failures in the chemical plant PCC Rokita SA in the Lower Silesia province. The last one occurred at the beginning of September. Fortunately, there was no serious threat at that time. Nevertheless, this incident sparked much confusion. One month later the giant loudspeakers spoke sinisterly again and an alert was announced. Lech Lewandowski describes the exercises.
Safe Terraces
Providing security and safety to a very high number of customers and an underground car park, where gas-fuelled vehicles can park - these are the main challenges faced by the Rodamco Europe Company, the administrator of the Złote Tarasy (Golden Terraces) Shopping Mall in Warsaw. By Agnieszka Wójcik.
Firefighter's Physical Load
Firefighters have to fulfil their tasks confidently and perfectly, although those tasks often involve intense physical effort, stress and are conducted in difficult external conditions. A firefighter should have specific psychophysical predispositions, as his unreliability during an extinguishing and rescue action can have fatal consequences. By Aleksander Kucharczyk.
Firefighter on Diet
Life in a constant hurry, lots of duties and stress accompanying all of that prevent us from paying enough attention to the question of nutrition. Often we do not realize how significantly food we eat influences our health. According to the WHO even 70 percent of diseases originate from poor nutrition. Apart from obesity, type 2 diabetes and circulatory system disease, there are also dozens of tumours on the list of diet-dependent diseases. Katarzyna Cimek encourages firefighters to obey the rules of healthy nutrition.
On Congress in France
The visit of the firefighters from Legnica in Roanne, la Loire department, France, was of double importance. This was a visit within the frameworks of a bilateral cooperation between the twin towns of Legnica and Roanne. And this was the first time when Polish firefighters had a chance to participate in the French National Firefighters Congress. Lech Lewandowski describes everyday work of French firefighters.
VAS Loudspeakers
Control panel is the heart of a voice alarm system (VAS). There are boosters, controls and support modules there. Nevertheless, loudspeakers are the most important element of the whole system and their proper selection can significantly influence the efficiency of the system. The difference between those loudspeakers and ordinary loudspeakers lies in their mechanical structure which allows them to work properly for a specific time in danger. Analysis by Tomasz Popielarczyk.
Introduction to the Protection of Personal Data. Part 1
In the face of the ongoing globalization, the development of new technologies and, especially, informatisation of the social life, it is getting actually impossible for a society to live without a substantial interference into the private affairs of an individual. Therefore, the protection of personal data is one of the fundamental rights of citizens and is enshrined in article 51 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland. The article indicates clearly that no-one can be forced to disclose his personal data except for a statutory obligation. Moreover, every citizen has a right of access to official documents and data collections concerning him. The access can be limited only by a statute. Adrian Patalong introduces the secrets of the protection of personal data.
What after a Course?
I read very carefully the article by Paweł Rochala from Fire Review no. 5/2009 entitled "Fire Protection Inspectors". Basically, the article exhausts the subject. However, still I do not know where to situate in all those provisions a person obtaining a post-graduate professional officer's diploma? Wojciech Żuber asks this question in a letter.
Rights
The author of the letter describes very accurately several important problems concerning the future of many people dealing professionally with fire protection. To explain the doubts described in the letter I have to mention the questions of personnel policy and this is something I do not work on professionally. Therefore my article should be treated as a collection of my private views; whoever is able to correct this should do it. Paweł Rochala responses in a polemical article to the letter of Wojciech Żuber.
Cave Manoeuvres
The 5th Silesian Cave Manoeuvres took place in September in Koralowa cave and Studnisko cave on the area of Polish Jura Chain. The manoeuvres were organized within the project entitled "Public Safety of the People of Tarnowskie Góry in the Case of Local Dangers." Rescuers of the height rescue unit from the District HQ of the SFS in Tarnowskie Góry participated in the exercises. By Michał Konarski.
Underwater Dilemmas
Underwater works are a non-standard task for the fire and rescue units of the SFS; therefore, a relatively low number of firefighters are knowledgeable enough in this field. Jarosław Kuśmirek describes a training camp for specialist water-diving teams from the Wielkopolska province.
On Top of the Dreams
In his short life, as he is only 28 years old, he has had different interests and hobbies. Usually they involved adrenaline rush and a thrill. This was also the case when he decided to become a parachutist. Falling alone through space gave the feeling of freedom and a variety of emotions - from simple fear to delight. Lew writes how the firefighters from Głogów fulfil their dreams.
On the Way to Professionalism
Keeping fit entails a variety of advantages: health, good mood and nice body. And if you decide to participate in competitions, you can count on attractive gifts and awards founded by sponsors. Magdalena Bielenia encourages you to take part in the Euroregional Polish Championships of Firefighters-Divers.
Sportsman in Rescuer's Shoes
For 12 years Aspirant Marcin Zdziebło, the unit commander of the fire and rescue team of the Fire Service College in Kraków, has consistently participated in competitions requiring extraordinary fitness. He started with cycling and swimming only to discover later his greatest fascination: triathlon. Elżbieta Przyłuska describes the outstanding firefighter.
From the Depth of the Earth
Sixty teams from Poland and abroad competed with 650 wooden steps of the Daniłowicz shaft in the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Best teams ran the steps in less than five minutes. Andrzej Kufta writes about the 1st St. Barbara Day Championships of Firefighters and Rescuers "Wieliczka Salt Mine 2009".
Management - Force or Skill?
When I was writing about different trainings for firefighters I have meant the firefighters from combat units. But once I thought: why not about the commanders ... By Marta Różycka.
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