“I would like to thank all firefighters from the National Fire Service who often organise help for people who are in a truly tragic situation,” said the Prime Minister.

We appreciate the contribution of Volunteer Fire Brigades to local communities

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki highlighted how important the work of volunteer firefighters is for local communities. In Zendek, near the A1 motorway and many access roads to the Pyrzowice airport, the presence and availability of rescue units are crucial in terms of safety, particularly road safety. It is often the Volunteer Fire Brigades that are first on the scene to provide help.

“In order to help people, on the one hand, we need motivated volunteers – just like those here, in Zendek, in the municipality of Ożarowice, in the district of Tarnowskie Góry – and on the other, appropriate equipment,” emphasised the Prime Minister.

We finance modern rescue equipment from the state budget

Founded in 1919, the Volunteer Fire Brigade in Zendek received a new truck, which was co-financed by the National Firefighting and Rescue System (KSRG) Fund of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration. It allowed us to subsidise 2,294 vehicles for Volunteer Fire Brigades across the country between 2015 and 2020, including 2,103 vehicles in the period between 2016 and 2020 (an average of approximately 420 trucks per year). In comparison, between 2012 and 2015, 849 vehicles were co-financed (an annual average of about 212).

“Residents of numerous municipalities can ask and visit fire stations to see what the super-modern equipment, light vehicles, heavier vehicles, and the most specialised trucks look like, especially in comparison to just a few years ago," said the Prime Minister.

We have introduced the first law on Volunteer Fire Brigades in history

During the meeting with firefighters, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki recalled the law regulating service within the Volunteer Fire Brigade. This legislation came into force at the beginning of 2022 and introduced:

• a rescue benefit for volunteer firefighters who have actively participated in rescue operations or rescue actions for at least 25 years (in the case of men) and 20 years (in the case of women),
• ID cards of volunteer firefighters,
• greater legal protection for volunteer firefighters,
• regulation of issues of compensation for Volunteer Fire Brigade members and their families.

“We have proposed the first law in the history of the Volunteer Fire Brigades. The firefighters, both men and women, have finally acquired their own law, which provides for pension allowances and special training processes for all willing individuals. This is also what the Volunteer Fire Brigades needed,” highlighted the head of the government.