"Usually we believe that the internal crisis is something which strikes different entities, but we cannot imagine it can affect us as well. However, nowadays the media is everywhere and news about us, especially negative, can spread immediately," says Senior Brigadier Paweł Frątczak, spokesperson of the Chief Commander of the SFS in a talk with Agnieszka Wójcik.
Odorous Fire
The Chrzanów district sets serious challenges for firefighters. Nine years after the fire in Trzebinia Refinery, almost three years after the memorable fire of a tanker carrying propane butane and two months after the fire in the Franciscan Monastery in Alwernia, the fire broke out in Chrzanów in a factory producing cosmetics and aerosols, located in a direct neighborhood of a housing estate. By Wojciech Rapka.
Chemical Threats in Firefighters' Work
Carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride, nitric oxide, sulfur monoxide are just some of the chemical substances produced in the conditions of a fire, posing a deadly threat for humans. Threats posed by chemical substances are among the dangerous and harmful aspects of the firefighters' work - not only during a fire, but also during chemical disasters, construction disasters, transport accidents and other local threats. By Aleksander Kucharczyk.
Thermal Factors
Despite the fact that the share of fires in the general number of incidents has decreased in the last years, the number of fires of residential buildings has been growing. More in the article by Tomasz Węsierski and Jan Czardybon.
Gas against Fire
Continuing the subject of fixed extinguishing devices, we present the second most popular (after the water ones) devices kept behind the door with "Caution: gas. Do not enter" sign on it - fixed gas extinguishing devices. By Iza Bella.
Totally Professionally
Organized at the end of November on the area of Poznań International Fair, the POLEKO International Trade Fair of Environmental Protection were a chance to summarize the project "Reinforcement of integrated chemical and ecological safety system for the Wielkopolska province through purchase of specialist equipment - stage 2", which has been conducted by the Regional HQ of the SFS in Poznań. By Bogdan Romanowski.
Closely Observed Bottling Plant
Expandable coating with two-hour fire resistance and explosimetric installation composed of almost forty feelers - these are just some of the protections used in the LPG terminal in Swarzędz. By Agnieszka Wójcik.
LPG Training Post
The increase in number of interventions concerning leakages from tankers used to store LPG gas and the danger involved in scenarios of such failures, make it necessary to train firefighters in construction of such tankers, rules of using them and possible threats posed by LPG. More in the article by Dariusz Olcen and Szymon Kokot-Góra.
Santa Claus Sack for Firefighter
What to give a firefighter for Christmas? In this issue of Fire Review we present ideas for gifts which will bring joy for everyone. Not only during Christmas...
NCCRO&CP - Vision
National Center for Coordination of Rescue Operations and Civil Protection (NCCRO&CP) of the Main HQ of the State Fire Service has been equipped in modern ICT devices. They support both the administrative and operational management of the SFS and coordination of rescue and extinguishing operations in complex incidents, disasters or other crisis situations. What is their role in the development strategy of the SFS and, in the broader context, of the national rescue and firefighting system? The answer in the article by Elżbieta Przyłuska.
Additional Mission
Firefighters from the ninth shift of the Military Fire Service, stationed in Ghazni province, trained 150 Afghan policemen who will become firefighters. This has been first such an initiative of soldiers serving abroad within the frameworks of Polish Military Contingent. By Anna Łańduch.
When the fire's going on...
Feliks Konarski wrote a song "Strażak" (Firefighter) for a melody of a lively polka. The song combines tolerant liking for firefighters with deep observation and healthy irony. I would like to confront its lyrics with present day fire service. It sounds disturbingly contemporary. By Paweł Rochala.
Calendar Story
When summer is over and there are no more than three sheets in a calendar to be torn off, a boss usually calls for the graphic artist. It is not even necessary to explain in detail what it is about. One look through a window is enough - the park of the Royal Łazienki Museum in Warsaw, just outside the office, has already turned golden. A melancholic whisper: "it's time..." Details in the latest issue of Fire Review.
Long Way to Go
In Fire Review no.8/2011 there was published an article by Lech Lewandowski "No Total Decontamination without the Initial One". It is not a new subject and problem, as it has been returning to the pages of FR. By Tomasz Gartowski.
Always on Duty
It is said that you always remain a firefighter - not just on duty. The attitude of Staff Aspirant Damian Znachorka, the commander of the first shift in the District HQ of the SFS in Głubczyce has confirmed that saying. He saved life of three persons. By Krzysztof Hajda.
Firefighter on Ice
27-year old Zbigniew Bródka from the Fire & Rescue Unit in Łowicz represented Poland during Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. He is the first professional skater among firefighters and the only professional firefighter among skaters. By Agnieszka Wójcik.
Memory will Survive
In December the Main School of Fire Service in Warsaw welcomed again the officers who declared the sit-in on the area of the former Fire Service Officers College and opposed the communist authorities. Disbelieving manipulated press releases, whole Poland followed the situation in the school with bated breath for a week, keeping fingers crossed for the young people in fire service uniforms. By Bogdan Romanowski.
Life and Service of Stanisław Komorowski (part 3)
When Germans occupied Warsaw, the fire service was militarized. Fire service officers were sent by the invaders to the tasks concerning fire protection of the city. Komorowski was the commander of the 9th company in 3rd battalion. By Dariusz Falecki.
I was Commander of the School
The day when the State Fire Service was created - 1 July 1992 is a historic date for Polish fire protection. It was the beginning of modern rescue service, based on the best global solutions and, at the same time, preserving historical background and realities of Polish fire service, as well as experiences of generations of Polish firefighters. It established the Fire Service College in Poznań, training and preparing the middle technical personnel for the SFS and national rescue and firefighting system. By Witold Gołębowski.
Regular columns
Kaleidoscope, Views and Opinions, Flesh, Events Overview, www.firefighting, Miniature Maniacs Club, Service and Faith, This is Worth Reading, A Bit of Memories, Fire Service Stamps, Postscript.
