Our level of knowledge on the standardization system in Poland is low, to put it mildly. Most people who have more or less occasional contact with Polish Standards assume that they are compulsory and created by the Polish Committee for Standardization. And it was true, but not in this system Facts and myths on the standardization system are explained in the talk with Tomasz Schweitzer, Ph. D., the president of the Polish Committee for Standardization. By Elżbieta Przyłuska.
Prevention - True or False? Part 3
Introduction to the order power
Just as it is not always possible to control everything, it is also not possible to impose everything. This article deals with the question of the possibility of giving orders, i.e. the manifestation of the power of the fire service over the controlled people - proving them that they can be forced to perform work, duties or make quite serious investments. By Paweł Rochala.
Use Reasonably
This article aims at presenting the main reasons of fires in buildings classified under the ZL category (threat to humans). It presents also the requirements of fire protection concerning the flammability level of the materials used to construct the building and of the elements of fixture and fittings. More in the article by Marzena Półka and Ewa Piechocka.
After a Storm
Much confusion was caused by the amendment to the Labour Code, which obliges the employer to appoint an employee who performs the fire protection activities. By Radosław Jadwiszczak.
Porcelain of Ćmielów
Porcelain, the white gold, has been fascinating for ages. European alchemists used to work to find out the secret of porcelain, which had been known only to the Chinese. The mystery was solved by Boettger, whose accidental discovery - as he was seeking the philosopher's stone - was followed by the establishment of the oldest European porcelain manufacture in Meissen in 1710. By the mid-18th century other manufactures had been founded: in Vienna, Venice, Petersburg, Berlin and Sevres. In 1790 a factory in Ćmielów, the Świętokrzyskie province, was established. Although for 220 years its owners have changed, just as the methods of manufacturing porcelain, the factory is still operating, as there is a constant demand for beautiful tableware, decorated cups, saucers, or even common plates. By Agnieszka Wójcik
Fine from a Firefighter?
In this article, addressed mainly to the prevention officers of the SFS, I would like to focus on the amendments to the Polish Code of Infractions concerning fire protection, which have been in force since 8 June 2010. The article presents also the position of the Supreme Court concerning the penal order proceedings and the essence of the penalty notice tariff. More in the article by Arkadiusz Mocek.
New Requirements for VAS
Voice alarm systems (VAS) have been evolving for years. The requirements concerning the quality and functionality of particular components have changed, just as the way they are designed, installed and maintained. By Tomasz Popielarczyk.
Not Only Fairs
SAWO fair, the most important event in Poland which presents the latest equipment and solutions in the scope of work protection have already settled down in Poznań. By Sławomir Brandt and Tomasz Wiśniewski.
INTERSCHUTZ 2010
The International Fair for Rescue, Fire Prevention, Disable Relief, Safety, and Security INTERSCHUTZ 2010 was held in the Lepizig Exhibition Center in June. This is one of the largest events of this type in the world, and, certainly, the largest one in Europe. This year a record number of visitors saw the exhibition - 125 thousands. More in the article by Paweł Frątczak and Weronika Linder.
Footwear for Firefighters. Part 2
Potrzebowice forest division is one of seven forest divisions on the area of the Noteć Forest. In 1992, the memorable year, the place witnessed one of the largest forest fires in Poland. By Piotr Kępa.
To Examine a Fishing Boat
Following the order of the Chief Commandant of the SFS, a rescue group "Bornholm" was created on 25 May. Firefighters from the district HQ of the SFS in Augustów were assigned to this group. The group was created on the request of the Maritime Office in Gdynia to investigate the reasons of the accident of the fishing boat WŁA-127, which disappeared on the Baltic Sea on 30 April 2009. The boat belonged to a family fishing business Denga from Władysławowo. When the boat disappeared, there were five fishermen aboard who rode to the area of the Danish island of Bornholm to fish sprat. By Grzegorz Liszewski.
Convicted Innocent
Over a year ago a tragedy shocked the people of Wrocław. Three persons died as a result of a fire of an apartment in Kraszewskiego Street: a married couple and their eighteen-year-old daughter. Unclear circumstances of the disaster sparked some accusations against firefighters. The public prosecutor's office took care of this case. Details in the latest issue of Fire Review.
Night Suicide
It was past midnight when the emergency phone 112 rang. Junior Sergeant Ilona Cytawa, duty officer of the control room in the District HQ of the SFS in Wołów, picked up the phone. By Lech Lewandowski.
Step into the Abyss. Part 2
To know how to talk to a potential suicide it is necessary to explain some of the popular myths concerning dealing with such persons. By Joanna Pluczyńska.
Operational Inspections in the VFS
Volunteer fire services develop professional contacts and readiness to rescue and extinguishing actions on the basis of three elements: training courses, competitions and operational inspections. The last form has finally been authorized and is conducted by organizational units of the State Fire Service. By Wiesław Chmielewski.
The Wielkopolska Province Prevents Fires
Preventive activities concerning fire protection have been taken up in the Wielkopolska province by the prevention unit of the SFS for many years. Standards and legal regulations are created for the needs of prevention to formalize the rules and ways of protecting buildings against fire and to show the methods of adapting the buildings to the safety requirements. By Tomasz Wiśniewski and Alicja Borucka.
Protection of classified information
Some citizens of our country have access to the information or documents concerning public order, defence, security, international or economic relations. Because of its importance for the basic interests of the Republic of Poland, as well as for the legally protected interests of the citizens or organizational units, such information and documents are a state or service secret. More in the article by Ida Mroczek-Lep.
Fighting Fires and Invaders
August, 1st marked the 66th anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising. Although some historians claim that it was a mistake to organize the Uprising, since it was doomed to fail from the very beginning, it cannot be disputed that both in the Uprising and the September Campaign of 1939 the firefighters from Warsaw played a huge role, risking their lives and health to help other people. By Agnieszka Wójcik.
Seagrave - in the Past and Now. Part 2
On its 70th anniversary, in 1951, Seagrave started the batch production of new design fire vehicles. The vehicles manufactured in the "70th Anniversary Series" include pumpers, ladders, ambulances and special vehicles for technical rescue. By Marek Pisarek.
Magirus's Gems. Part 2
At the beginning of the 20th century Magirus saw a drop in sales concerning lorries. Competitive products from the United States started to enter the European market. The lower sale of lorries was to be compensated with the production of buses ordered by the owners of private lines. By Dariusz Falecki.
Sporting Commemoration
Today it is hard to tell who initiated the firefighting biathlon competitions commemorating Col. Andrzej Bazanowski - regional chief fire officer of the Fire Service in Rzeszów in 1951-1977. The idea appeared somewhere between the operational and training unit of the Regional HQ of the FS and the District HQ of the FS in Rzeszów and developed during the Polish national championships in firefighting sport organized there in 1983. By Marcin Betleja.
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