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Cel: The aim of the article is to analyse the recording of false alarm cases using the Decision Support System of the State Fire Service (SWD PSP) in terms of certain requirements for a firefighter creating information from an incident. The cases under consideration belong to one of the types of incidents involving fire protection units. Wprowadzenie: Since 1993, when PSP began recording incidents using a database system, the scope of information on false alarms has not changed. To this day, in the incident sheet constituting Annex No. 5 to the regulation on the detailed organization of the national rescue and firefighting system, there is no false alarm as a separate type of incident apart from fire and local emergency. A detailed analysis of the data on false alarms was created in connection with the need to prepare a speech by representatives of KG PSP during a scientific conference organized by CNBOP-PIB entitled “False alarms generated by fire alarm systems”. The authors did not limit themselves to the analysis of alarms from detection installations, and the material was expanded to include a spatial analysis of the occurrence of such events. Metodologia: The results of the authors’ own analyses performed on the basis of data collected in SWD PSP and software from the geographic information systems (GIS) were used. In their deliberations, the authors also relied on years of experience in creating and revising the rules for recording incidents in SWD PSP and building a new information system for fire protection units. Wyniki: Zakres danych gromadzonych przez PSP w zakresie alarmów fałszywych jest niewystarczający do przeprowadzenia dokładnych i wnikliwych analiz, w szczególności w zakresie przyczyn wystąpienia, szczegółowych informacji o obiekcie (miejscu zdarzenia) oraz wyposażeniu budynków w systemy sygnalizacji pożarowej oraz inne ułatwiające lub utrudniające prowadzenie działań jednostkom ochrony przeciwpożarowej. Istnieje pilna potrzeba rozbudowania minimalnego zakresu danych niezbędnych do ewidencjonowania w bazach danych PSP. Przedstawione wyniki analiz wskazują również na niedostateczne rozgraniczenie pomiędzy miejscowym zagrożeniem a alarmem fałszywym. Najbliższa nowelizacja zasad ewidencjonowania zdarzeń ma zawierać zapisy, które powinny poprawić jakość danych. Dokładniejsza analiza będzie jednak możliwa dopiero po wdrożeniu nowobudowanego SWD PSP, uwzględniającego między innymi moduł operacyjnego katalogu obiektów. Wnioski: The scope of data collected by PSP on false alarms is insufficient to carry out accurate and thorough analyses, particularly with regard to the causes of occurrence, detailed information about the facility (site of the incident) and the equipment of buildings with fire alarm systems and others that facilitate or hinder the activities of fire protection units. There is an urgent need to expand the minimum scope of data needed to be recorded in PSP databases. The presented analytical results also indicate that there is insufficient distinction between a local emergency and a false alarm. The upcoming revision of the rules for recording events is expected to include provisions that should improve the quality of data. However, a more detailed analysis will be possible only after the implementation of the newly built SWD PSP, including, among other things, an operational module of the object catalogue. Słowa kluczowe: false alarm, Decision Support System of the State Fire Service, principles of recording incidents, State Fire Service, spatial analysis

This article presents the results of research aimed at determining the feasibility of using spatial data in the Polish State Fire Service. The study explores the legal, organizational, and technical factors influencing this use, based on surveys conducted with fire service officers who use spatial data in their work. The conducted research employed both theoretical (critical document analysis) and empirical methods (diagnostic survey method with questionnaire). Based on statistically significant research results, it was determined that legal and technical conditions do not limit the possibilities of using spatial data. However, in the case of organizational conditions, the greatest barrier to utilizing spatial data is the lack of training for State Fire Service officers in the specified area. In this way, the hypothesis was positively verified, stating that the assessment of the possibilities for using spatial data for the State Fire Service must take into account legal, organizational, and technical conditions.

Aim: The article presents issues concerning selected formal and legal elements in the field of emergency plans relating to administrative authorities, plant operators and the State Fire Service. In this context a review of legal acts concerning the functioning of the system of preventing major industrial accidents was made. The subject was based on the provisions of the European Union law and national regulations in the field of environmental law and executive acts indicating the need to supplement them in the task area and to implement uniform principles in the issue of actions taken. Introduction: The main objective of the accident prevention system is to limit, eliminate and remove the effects of a major accident, therefore the public administration and operators of establishments should ensure effective and efficient actions to save life, health, property and the environment. The tasks of preventing, combating and removing the effects of an accident are performed to various degrees by the operators of establishments, administrative bodies, rescue entities, which are conditioned, on the one hand, by legal regulations and, on the other hand, by the organisational capabilities of executive teams. Therefore, it is justified to review legal regulations and to present selected tasks concerning prevention of major accidents in relation to administration bodies, rescue entities and operators of establishments responsible for combating and removing effects of a major accident. Project and methods: The article was developed using a comparative and descriptive analysis of selected elements from legal acts and a review of the literature on the subject. With reference to selected elements of safety against major industrial accidents, empirical research was undertaken using a diagnostic survey method. Methodology: W artykule wykorzystano analizę porównawczo-opisową wybranych elementów z aktów prawnych oraz przeglądu literatury przedmiotu. Odnosząc się w tym zakresie do wybranych elementów bezpieczeństwa wobec przeciwdziałania poważnym awariom przemysłowym, podjęto badania empiryczne, wykorzystując metodę sondażu diagnostycznego. Results: ratowniczego poprzez ujęcie zapisu zadaniowego określającego sposób zwalczania poważnej awarii w przypadku wystąpienia zdarzenia w zakładzie dużego ryzyka. Powyższe uwarunkowania organizacyjno-zadaniowe wskazują co najmniej na potrzebę stworzenia w odpowiedniej formie wytycznych jako rozwiązania alternatywnego w przypadku, gdyby wprowadzenie postulowanych zmian legislacyjnych z różnych względów było niemożliwe. Wskazano również, że zasadne jest wdrożenie w zakładzie poradnika jednolitych „zasad podejmowanych czynności ratowniczych podczas poważnych awarii” tworzonych w oparciu o wymagania ogólne zawarte w przepisie wykonawczym w sprawie opracowania planów operacyjno-ratowniczych. Conclusions: The article points out the need to amend national implementing legislation on the development of an external emergency plan by including a task statement on how to deal with a major accident in the event of an accident at an upper-tier establishment. At the very least, the above organisational and task-related considerations point to the need to create guidelines in an appropriate form as an alternative solution in the event that the proposed legislative changes are not possible for various reasons. It is also advisable for the operators of an establishment to introduce, in the form of a guide, uniform “principles for rescue operations during major accidents”, based on the general requirements contained in the implementing regulation on the development of emergency plans. Keywords: State Fire Service, major accident, emergency plan, operator of a high risk establishment

Background: The profession of a firefighter is fraught with a significant risk of injuries. Firefighters operate in hazardous zones to mitigate threats and combat fires. Aim of work is to evaluate the accident rate of the officers of the Polish State Fire Service in connection with their service, considering direct participation in rescue operations, and other official duties between the years 2015-2022. Material and Methods: An 8-year analysis was conducted from reports covered the number of accidents, the number of injured firefighters, the age of the officers, the circumstances of the event, and the type and location of the injury. This includes fire and rescue operations, exercises, training, official trips, sports activities, and technical work related to equipment. Results: Between 2015 and 2022, there were 12 588 individual and group accidents in various circumstances. Most firefighter accidents occurred during rescue and firefighting operations, as well as during sports activities which dominate as the cause of injuries among firefighters in the observed period (37.8%), and injuries related to rescue and fire-fighting activities constitute 28.5%. Other work activities of firefighters cause 33.7% of injuries. In 2020 was a clear reduction in the number of accidents per 1000 employed firefighters in each observed parameter (total, interventions, sport) while maintaining the average level of firefighter employment (M[+ or -]SD 30 099[+ or -]224). Conclusions: The most frequent circumstances of injury are slippery and challenging spaces, surfaces, and carelessness. The most common type of body injury is a dislocation and sprain concerning the ankle joint, foot. The most frequent causes of work-related injuries for firefighters, as the results indicate, are participation in team sports and fire-fighting and rescue operations. The most commonly occurring medical consequences resulting from a firefighters injury are fractures, sprains, and contusions of various body areas. Firefighters are most burdened with injuries in the age group 26-35 years old. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(6):469-77. Key words: accidents, injuries, interventions, health hazards, state fire service, fire and rescue operations

This research analyzed interventions of State Fire Service (SFS) units in the Wielkopolska region of Poland that were triggered by extreme precipitation for the period 2010–2021. Our results demonstrated that the most populated and urbanized towns in the Wielkopolska (Greater Poland, west of Warsaw) region are at the most risk in the event of extreme precipitation occurrence as measured by the total number of interventions made by the SFS. The number of SFS unit interventions in towns, standardized to 10,000 inhabitants, indicates that the highest proportional volume of interventions also occurred in smaller towns. In the rural municipalities the number of SFS unit interventions increases along with higher population density and proportion of infrastructure areas. As analyzed in this study, the 12 years from 2010 to 2021 were characterized by a higher number of days with heavy precipitation, for example, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mm, in comparison to the previous periods 1961–2010 and 1981–2010. Intervention databases collected by emergency services are a valuable source of information for hazard mapping. Based on those and other available data, a statistical model was created and factors influencing the local and regional occurrence of interventions were determined. Increasing suburbanization, the rising proportion of impermeable surfaces, and the impact of climate change are of considerable importance in urban flood risk. It is necessary to help municipalities develop abilities to absorb larger amounts of rainwater.

The article concerns the flood risk assessment in Bydgoszcz in April–October 2010–2022. The distribution of daily precipitation sums for two meteorological stations in Bydgoszcz was analysed. The study confirmed that the risk of extreme precipitation is greatest in the summer months (May–August). It was found that some of the intense rainfall that might cause short-term flooding of urban areas was often local and caused by storm phenomena. Analysis of flood-related interventions by the State Fire Service in Bydgoszcz showed that 2022 had the highest number of incidents (117). The analysis of precipitation and State Fire Service interventions showed a small degree of dependence between the two, both at the city-wide scale and for individual city districts. The spatial distribution of these interventions allowed the Bydgoszcz city districts most exposed to the effects of pluvial flooding to be identified. The work showed the complexity of the issue of urban flood risk, of monitoring such phenomena at the city and district scales, and of countering the effects of such phenomena.

Aim: The aim of the article is to present the method of dispatching the units of the Volunteer Fire Service of the national rescue and firefighting system (OSP KSRG) to long-term rescue operations and to characterize the logistic protection of the units during such operations. The example of the 2010 floods in the Świętokrzyskie region was used as the basis for the analysis. Methodology: During the preparation of the article, the method of analysis was used to explore in more depth the issue of logistic protection of units in long-term rescue operations. A critical analysis of the literature on the subject proved important. Also used was a case study of the logistic protection of OSP KSRG units during the 2010 floods in the Świętokrzyskie region. Conclusions: OSP KSRG units involved in a long-term rescue operation do not have their own logistical facilities, additional equipment or stocks of propellants and grease in sufficient quantities. Therefore, there is a need to implement new solutions aimed at modifying the procedures for logistical security of OSP units participating in long-term rescue operations. The analysis of the case study showed that the autonomy of OSP KSRG units in long-term rescue operations should include securing basic supplies: water, food, liquid fuels and grease, as well as the ability to create their own welfare facilities, including their own sleeping bags, as and tents, field beds, blankets, which will allow firefighters to rest on an ad hoc basis during the action. The use by OSP units of logistic protection capabilities based on local field resources requires the development of guidelines and procedures for the use of the resources in question, as well as an indication of the type of services needed. During the development of rescue plans, entities providing specific logistic services to OSP units should be listed. Keywords: Volunteer Fire Service, State Fire Service, national rescue and firefighting system, logistic protection, action logistics, long-term rescue operations

Pupose: This article offers a multifaceted analysis of the technical and normative aspects involved in the design, construction, and commissioning process of the Polish State Fire Service’s (PSP) mobile CBRNE analytical laboratory. Special attention is given to the technical solutions’ compliance with applicable national and international standards, as well as the laboratory’s operational effectiveness during rescue operations in environments threatened by chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive hazards. Introduction: Mobile CBRNE laboratories are crucial for identifying and neutralizing asymmetric threats, whether originating from industrial accidents, natural disasters, or deliberate terrorist or military actions. In response to the growing complexity and unpredictability of modern threats, and the increased demand for rapid and precise emergency service response, the Polish State Fire Service has implemented an innovative technological solution. This newly developed and constructed laboratory vehicle enables advanced in situ analysis, maintaining the highest standards of biological and chemical safety. This represents a significant breakthrough in the operational capabilities of specialized units carrying out operations within the national rescue and firefighting system. Methodology: The analysis is based on a case study of the PSP’s mobile laboratory, including a review of technical, normative, and operational documentation. Particular attention was paid to compliance with PN-EN standards, ISO standards, NATO guidelines, and national legal regulations concerning mobile laboratories and biological safety. Conclusions: The analysis revealed that the PSP’s mobile laboratory meets key normative requirements while ensuring high operational effectiveness. The integration of advanced filtration systems, hermetically sealed working compartments, and specialized analytical equipment allows for comprehensive operations in diverse field conditions. The article emphasizes the importance of consistency between normative requirements and practical technical solutions in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of rescue operations.

Aim: The aim of the article is to discuss theoretical and practical aspects of the emergence and use of the method of assessment of threat occurring in areas of particular municipalities and districts in the activities of organizational units of the State Fire Service. One of the reasons for returning to this topic is the modification of the method finalized last year, in order to include within it another factor of fire danger, which are non-forest terrestrial eco- systems. Moreover, updates in this area have been made to allow those who have not previously had the opportunity to learn about the subject matter. Introduction: Last year, a new regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration of 17 September 2021 on the detailed organization of the national rescue and firefighting system (Polish Journal of Laws: Dz.U. 2021 poz. 1737) came into force. In relation to the content of the previously existing regulation, it has changed the methodology on how to assess the risks that may occur on the area of the district and the province, in which the analysis is subject to risk factors occurring respectively in the areas of individual municipalities, making their subsequent aggregation at the level of the districts. Taking into account the fact that it has been ten years since the original inclusion of this tool in the regulations on the functioning of the national rescue and firefighting system (KSRG), it is considered a good moment to share with the readers some of the author’s reflections on both theoretical and practical aspects of its creation and application in the activities of organizational units of the State Fire Service. Methodology: The paper uses the results of the author’s own work in creating the aforementioned hazard assessment method, based on the theoretical foundation of hazard analysis and risk assessment. Fire experience was also used, including data analysis of incidents that occurred. Conclusions: As a result of the carried out work, a method of assessment of hazards occurring in individual municipalities and districts was created, implemented in 2011, used for the preparation and annual update of district and provincial rescue plans. In practice, its results are directly applicable in the process of determining standards of additional equipment for district and city fire stations of the State Fire Service, requirements for the organization of specialized rescue groups and methodology of building a plan for the network of volunteer fire departments to be included in the national and rescue firefighting system. Ten years of using this method and its recent extension with a new risk factor are the reasons to formulate the thesis that it has been positively verified in terms of practical usefulness of its results. There is also a possibility of its further improvement, e.g. in the context of introducing additional tools that could increase the quality of the obtained results, e.g. enabling its stronger connection with currently available geospatial databases. Keywords: threat assessment, threat levels, national rescue and firefighting system, State Fire Service Type of article: review article

Aim: The aim of the article is to present the results of quantitative research, as well as to analyse the activity of organisational units of the State Fire Service in social media on the example of Facebook. The development of social media (platforms) on the Internet has caused them to be regarded as a tool commonly used by various types of private organisations and public administration bodies, as well as the fire service. The use of this medium offers many opportunities as regards sharing latest news and efficiently communicating with the local community, as well as building positive relationships and developing the organisations’ image. Social media are also used by the government administration as well as the emergency services of many countries in the crisis response process, during each of the four phases of crisis management (prevention, preparation, response, reconstruction). Methods: The first part of the article reviews the literature on the uses of social media platforms, their advantages and disadvantages, and the classifi-cation and examples of the use of such tools at the respective stages of crisis management. In the second part, the profiles of district (poviat), municipal and regional headquarters of the State Fire Service are analysed. The collected empirical data were aggregated, subjected to statistical analysis, and then presented in a tabular and graphical form.Results: The article points out that active accounts on Facebook, the most popular platform among Polish Internet users, are run by only 20% of district/municipal headquarters and 31% of regional headquarters of the State Fire Service. In addition, the popularity of individual profiles, the regularity of updates, the completeness of contact and address details as well as content published by the surveyed entities were analysed.Conclusions: The organisational units of the State Fire Service only partly use the potential offered by social media. An effort should be made to increase our involvement with social media platforms because, as of date, their use in individual phases of crisis management has often brought about positive results. The number of ”likes” of individual profiles on the Facebook platform should be gradually increased, so that in the event of a threat, the potential of this medium can be fully exploited.