Tests should meet the demands of firefighters, who should also dictate to the producers what kind of equipment they want to work with. The fire service needs a Fire and Rescue Unit laboratory as well, where the equipment can be tested in practice. Anna Łańduch talks about these and other plans of the Scientific and Research Center for Fire Protection with its director EUGENIUSZ ROGUSKI.
Partnership for Rescue
Commander-in-Chief of the State Fire Service signed an agreement with the Voluntary Water Rescue Service, which defines the rules of cooperation between national fire and rescue system and this association. Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the State Fire Service LESZEK SUSKI tells Fire Review about the significance of this agreement for the rescue. (own info)
New Face of Civil Defence
What changes is the civil defence facing, what will the crisis management law introduce and how to find an ally in the media in times of emergency? These are the main subjects of the 7th edition of the crisis management and rescue conference. (own info)
SAWO 2006: Knowledge Fair
On 28-30 June 2006 there was another edition of the International Fair of Work Protection, Rescue and Fire-Fighting held in Poznań at the fairgrounds of Poznań International Fair. The visitors could see very interesting exhibitions of rescue equipment and work safety products as well as they could take part in scientific and technological symposia. Attention of many visitors was attracted by shows of specialist rescue teams of the State Fire Service, counter-terrorist unit of the Police and cooperation of firefighters and medical rescue units in mass accidents. Report by Jerzy Ranecki
LISTEN TO THE PSYCHOLOGIST
Relax, It Is Just Panic
"I know talking about fears is not easy, especially for people working in uniformed services. It is much easier to go to the doctor and have a number of specialist tests rather than seek the help of a psychologist. That is why I will try to help fellow firefighters to solve some of their problems in the hospitable pages of Fire Review" assures the author of the new column Marta Różycka, psychologist of the Voivodeship State Fire Service HQ in Katowice.
Helmets for Paramedics?
While performing their statutory task the firefighters are obliged not only by relevant law regulations but also by the awareness of risks and habit to use individual protective equipment. Clothing and protective equipment used nowadays have evolved along with broadening the range of tasks of the fire service and rapid technological progress. A helmet is one of the most important and most characteristic parts of fireman's equipment. But it can be useful also for other rescuers, as claims Krzysztof Łangowski in his discursive essay.
Let's Do Our Best
Lately, especially after the disaster in Chorzów, there have been many discussions concerning different aspects of functioning and development of the State Fire Service, which is perceived as a versatile rescue unit. Those issues were raised also in Legnica at the national conference on "Selected aspects of rescue actions". The course of the conference is described in an interview by Jan Lewandowski with Dr. Wojciech Kopacki, medical rescue coordinator in the Voivodeship State Fire Service HQ in Wrocław.
Live-fire exercises in a building with a high risk of a serious industrial failure
Measures in Case of Virulent Poison
April 24th 2006, Żary, the Lubuskie province. The day dawns beautiful and sunny. Rail transport workers of Kronopol company receive two extra sets of methanol tanks in a railway siding. The tanks are to be shunted to an unloading station. There are also other wagons in the siding. Engine driver error makes them crash into a methanol tank, which is being unloaded. It comes to a dangerous leak. This starts interesting chemical rescue exercises described by Agnieszka Rękas.
Seveso II: Amendment Implemented
Connecting the sphere of considerable industrial risks with the field of crisis response and parallel setting the required frequency of revision of the crisis response plan are some of the results of just finished process of implementing the Seveso II Amendment into the Polish law. By Paweł Janik
Double Celebration
Łódź Fire Service was developing as rapidly as the 19th century industrial city of Łódź. No wonder, as fires broke out in the textile factories very often, which we know, for example, from The Promised Land by Władysław Reymont. Industrialist Ludwik Grohman noticed the problem and was the first to introduce organized fire control in his factory. It was in 1873. The reporter of Fire Review reports on the celebration of the 130th anniversary of that event.
Watchtower in Masovia
Celebration of Firefighter Day in Masovia was held in Płock. One of the reasons for organizing the event in that very city was a new watchtower in Podolszyce district. The building with a capacity of 7,000 cubic metres and 8 car garage houses also casualty department. Building costs amount to almost 2.5 million zlotys. (own info)
Fete on Kercelak
Report on the participation of the firefighters from the Warsaw Fire & Rescue Unit no.4 in a colorful historical fete, which was organized to revive the traditions of Warsaw district Wola. (own info)
ADR 2005: Will the roads be safer?
Of all dangers accompanying the transport of dangerous materials, the materials pose the slightest threat. Nowadays it is not a material or technology which are dangerous, but people who use them, their ignorance, irresponsibility or routine, which can be better called getting used to ubiquitous danger. Lately there has been another threat, namely people who should never deal with dangerous materials, but who have them for insane criminal purposes; warns Grzegorz Hejnar.
International Fair for Fire Fighting Equipment PYROS
Exhibitors from all around Europe gathered in Brno
Every two years the Czechs organize International Fair for Fire Fighting Equipment PYROS in Brno. Current 13th edition of the event was held from 16th to 19th May. The visitors could see the latest equipment already used or to be used soon by firefighters not only in the Czech Republic. "Protection of life, health and property" was this year's motto. Report by Marek Pisarek and Jerzy Linder
One Nail Drives Out Another
The first patent on explosion suppression system dates back to 1912 and is attributed to some German company. It was described as an "instant dry powder extinguishing agent." World War II speeded up the development of this technique of explosion fighting. British air forces discovered that 80% of total fighter aircraft loss was caused by fires. Air forces (RAF) have set requirements based on these data for a light highly effective extinguishing system to protect plane engines and their fuel systems. By Rafał Porowski and Ewa Krajnik.
EU Funds in a New Way
From January 1st 2007 new regulations will govern structural funds and the Cohesion Fund. They will decide also in an issue, which is very important for the State Fire Service as a potential beneficiary: the possibility to qualify projects for funding support. By Marcin Słupek
French Concept of Security
France is one of the biggest and most diverse countries in Western Europe. Last years of French history have been marked by profound domestic transformation of policy and adjusting the present system to the changing environment. Those changes affect political, social and economic life as well as security, which is reflected in Civil Security Modernization Law of August, 2004. By Iwona Kocia.
Impressive Performance of Polish Volleyball Players
The 13th European Fire Services Sport Federation Volleyball Championship was held in the Polonia Sports Hall in Częstochowa from 19th to 21st May 2006. The championship was organized by European Fire Service Sport's Federation (ESF), State Fire Service Headquarters, Voivodeship State Fire Service HQ in Katowice, the Central School of the State Fire Service in Częstochowa and the Rescue Education and Technique Foundation EDURA. Belarussian team won ahead of two Polish teams. Report by Bogdan Romanowski
Rome Ablaze in the Eyes of Preventer
Eternal Fires in the Eternal City
The most famous fire of Rome during the time of Nero lasted seven nights and six days and destroyed 10 out of city's 14 districts. This tragedy, however, contributed to a shift in Roman building. The emperor issued new regulations stopping building practices used before, which followed the principle of cheapness, mediocrity and space saving. By Paweł Rochala
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