When we started talks with our European partners about counteracting serious industrial failures, we did not need to have any complexes, claims Jerzy Ludwiczak, director of the Department of Counteracting Serious Failures, which is a unit of the Inspection for Environmental Protection. He explains to Fire Review how the Seveso II Amendment was implemented and how the European funds can be used in counteracting serious industrial failures. (own info)
Fuel Threatened the Nature near Poznań
Swarzędz Rescue
On 19 February, just before midnight, Swarzędz near the city of Poznań witnessed a very dangerous disaster. Eight tankers, 50 cubic meters each, carrying heavy fuel oil derailed leading to 70 tonnes of dangerous petroleum-derived substance was released into the environment. Rescue action prevented the contamination from spreading and allowed to save the vital natural values. Report by Jerzy Ranecki
Minibuses: a Rescue Guide
Polish roads are swarming with minibuses; however, this means of transport still lacks detailed rescue methods in case of an accident. This article, based on the material issued by the Mercedes, presents the procedures for dealing with such cases. Suggested solutions take into account post-accident investigations and crash tests. By Andrzej Ludwig
Not Only Diving
Development Time
We discuss mainly the development of nearly fifty running specialist water-diving teams. The basic rescue actions on the water and ice are a standard task of all fire fighting and rescue units of the State Fire Service. Identification of this rescue field only with diving is a common mistake of the operational planning. By Dariusz Marczyński
Helpful Echo
Unfortunately, water rescue actions often involve not rescuing but rather pulling out, or searching and pulling out the corpses of drowned people. Sonar is invaluably helpful in such cases, claim Paweł Frątczak and Mariusz Wawerka
Incredible Kamov Helicopters
Created in 1974, Kamov Ka-32 "Helix" is a civil version of a military helicopter Ka-27 designed for anti-submarine warfare. Those incredible machines are produced in Taganrog on the Sea of Azov in Russia. Their existence is the result of a beating the Mil company in a competition for a naval helicopter in 1960s. Kamov owes the victory in the competition to the coaxial rotors, which turned out to be safer and more practical during the service on the board of Soviet destroyers. Andrzej Prokopiuk presents the firefighting version of this incredible machine.
Great Snip!
High horsepower, light weight and ergonomic construction are the features of some petrol-driven chainsaws used in rescue actions for cutting not only wood. (own info)
How Do the Others Do That?
19 Kilometers of Caution
The underground, a pride and favourite means of transport in Warsaw, celebrates its 12th birthday on 7 April. On this occasion it is worth to look closer on the technological and organizational solutions used in the underground to ensure security of almost 400,000 everyday commuters. (own info)
With Regard to the Fire in Słubice: Legal Aspects of the Fire Protection of Market Places
Safe Market Places
As promised in Fire Review no.2/2007 we present an analysis of requirements set in law regulations being in force, allowing for an appropriate protection of the market places against the fire. Tadeusz Łozowski, Jacek Piechocki
Liquid Gas: Dangerous Comfort
Growing consumption of the liquid gas, both in vehicles and households, obliges us to investigate thoroughly this dangerous and at the same time irreplaceable raw material we increasingly often have contact with during the fire fighting and rescue actions. By Maciej Pietrzak
Statistical Prevention
Due to the analysis of variance, a statistical method created 80 years ago, the probability of the occurrences of local chemical and ecological threats can be successfully specified, and the high risk areas are can be designated. By Włodzimierz Wątor
Fourth Shift: Antidote for Overtime or Playing with Fire?
There is a saying: two Poles, three opinions. I have always found this phrase not only a perfect characteristic of the Polish people, but also of the fire service. Surprisingly, there is a problem, or maybe to say a problem is an overstatement, there is an issue concerning the fire service, whose explanation contradicts the saying mentioned above. I mean here the solution of the question of overtime, which is increasingly common mainly as a result of adopted in 2005 solutions concerning recording and settlement of the duty hours. Maybe not all the people I asked, but the majority of them claim, that the introduction of so called fourth shift is the only reasonable solution. I have to play the role of the "other Pole" from the aphorism opening this article, Pole, who is at least of three different opinions himself. By Marceli Sobol
Warehouse SYMFONIA
Completely new situation following the reorganization of the district headquarters of the SFS compels us to take a different look on the organization of work of the divisions and units of the logistics and technical departments. Many units work in the old way, but some units introduce new solutions to make the work easier. Just like the District Headquarters of the SFS in Opole, report by its quartermaster Jan Stachura
Coordinated Dispersion
Politics and strategy are reserved for the central level - such a rule was in force in Poland for many decades. Practically, this meant that the intermediate and local structures did not take any actions without a signal such as a directive, recommendation, instruction or simply order issued by a superior. Everyone was pleased with this system, all the more that the central supervision was restricted to the control of the accomplishment of goals and particular tasks. Now the situation is changing, claims Eugeniusz W. Rogulski
28 Seconds ...
... is enough for the firefighters from the Warsaw firefighting and rescue unit no.3 to leave the garage following the alert procedure for the reported incident. 28 Seconds is also a title of a new TVN Turbo documentary series. The premiere episode aired on late Saturday evening, 3 March; and on Saturdays the viewers can follow struggling firefighters helping the victims of accidents and fires during real incidents, as well as during exercises. Marcin Kwiatkowski, producer of the series, talks about this interesting and useful project. (own info)
Collector's Market in Mysłowice
Hospitable as usually, the Central Museum of Fire Service opened on 3 March for collectors fascinated with firefighting. Passions once more proved to have no boundaries. (own info)
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