First on the accident, associated with the community and the region. Who are the volunteers firefighters?

In the face of crises — from natural disasters to humanitarian crises — volunteer Fire Departments (OSP) are crucial in ensuring safety, even in the smallest towns. Often, they are the first to arrive at the scene of an incident. Thanks to their excellent knowledge of local conditions, volunteer firefighters rescue people, mitigate the effects of disasters, and organize aid in the most demanding situations.

Units of the OSP have a very good understanding of the terrain, roads, challenges associated with a region, and the needs of residents, which makes their interventions in crises highly effective. In the face of threats such as floods or infrastructure failures, firefighters not only protect endangered buildings but also organize evacuations and save property. The OSP closely cooperates with local governments, emergency services, and non-governmental organizations, allowing for the full mobilization of resources. This enables them to increasingly play a significant role in coordinating rescue operations. An example of the readiness and commitment of firefighters was particularly evident during last year’s flood. In many flooded towns in southern Poland, where serious communication problems occurred, OSP firefighters became an invaluable link in coordinating relief efforts.

— During the flood, there were communication problems. Often, OSP firefighters were among the few people able to contact others via radio communication. In our town, during the flood, a medical rescue intervention was needed, but due to the problems, people couldn’t call the 112 number, and the information was passed through the firefighters to the Command Post of the District Commander, which forwarded it to the Medical Rescue – recounts Paweł Jurikow, Chief of the Krosnowice OSP.

Another example of an effective rescue operation was the intervention by OSP Kamieniec, conducted on March 4, 2025. Firefighters came to the aid of tourists who got stuck in hard-to-reach terrain near a rockslide in the town of Bardo.

— On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 18:21, we were dispatched to the town of Bardo, where tourists near a viewpoint, a rockslide, left the trail with their dog and got stuck on rocky ledges. Upon arrival, our team found the people needing help already preliminarily located by firefighter-rescuers on the scene. Our tasks involved supporting the localization and monitoring of the terrain using a BSP drone, purchased thanks to the POP Fund, with a thermal camera. Two young people and a dog were safely brought down using, among other techniques, rope techniques. The operation involved OSP Bardo, JRG Ząbkowice Śląskie, and the Sudecka GOPR Group.

Strengthening Volunteer Fire Departments, Greater Safety

OSP units play a vital role not only in rescue operations but also in spreading knowledge about safety and preventing crisis situations. To effectively perform these tasks, they need appropriate support – both financial, training, and equipment-wise. Only well-equipped firefighters can ensure the safety of residents and protect themselves during difficult and dangerous rescue operations. Investing in modern equipment and systematic training is an investment in our collective safety.

To support the readiness of firefighters to respond quickly during a crisis, the Polish Center for International Aid Foundation (PCPM), acting as the operator of the Polish Non-Governmental Organizations Fund (POP Fund), launched the fourth edition of the POP Fund Grant Competition. This allowed for the financing of 14 projects, including the purchase of modern rescue equipment and the organization of training to enhance firefighters’ qualifications. “Technology in the Service of the Community – OSP Marklowice Górne” is one of the projects that received funding. Its goal is to improve the effectiveness of rescue operations by the Volunteer Fire Department in Marklowice Górne and increase the safety of residents in the Zebrzydowice commune. As part of the project, equipment was purchased that equipped the unit with a power generator, water pumps, and a battery-powered lamp.

Non-Governmental Organizations and Crisis Management

On January 1, 2025, the Act on Civil Protection and Defense came into effect, introducing a series of regulations emphasizing the need to strengthen cooperation between public administration and Volunteer Fire Departments. There are also other local initiatives that provide aid in crisis situations. In practice, this means that OSP units and other non-governmental organizations will become even more integral to the crisis response system.

POP Fund – PCPM’s Initiative for Building Crisis Resilience in Poland

The PCPM Foundation, which has been involved in humanitarian aid both in Poland and abroad for nearly 20 years, continues its mission to build the safety of Poles. The POP Fund is a key element of this strategy. The joint work of non-governmental organizations, local governments, and donors enables effective support for local communities and the building of strong structures that will be able to face future crises.