Russian aggression on Ukraine changed the attitude of Polish authorities to civilian security. The Government safety Centre is presently developing detailed evacuation scenarios for millions of citizens. The fresh rules and cooperation with the military are intended to guarantee that you are prepared for any possible crisis scenario.
Evacuate with the military. fresh quality of planning
In January 2025 a fresh 1 came into force Civil Protection and Defence Actwhich revolutionized the Polish crisis management system. On her basis Government safety Centre (RCB) was obliged to make National evacuation plan and the coordination of akin papers at provincial level.
According to RCB manager Zbigniew Muszyński in an interview with InfoSecurity24, the key component of the fresh approach is cooperation with the General Staff of the Polish Army. – We are to prepare guidelines for the voivodes with the army. It's a fresh quality in civilian-military planning. He stressed.
This approach stems straight from Ukrainian experience, where during the first weeks of the war millions of people were forced to fleeoften without any preparation. The Polish government wants to avoid specified chaos.
From voivodship to border – evacuation on many levels
New plans are of a nature multi-layer and integrated. RCB plans not only to evacuate within individual voivodships, but besides on national and cross-border levels.
– We must remember the points of contact between voivodships and between Poland and neighbouring countries – said Muszyński. That's a mention to the 2022 situation erstwhile Poland accepted more than 2 million refugees from Ukraine In just a fewer weeks. Now the script can be the other – this Poles may request shelter abroad.
Infrastructure, transport, logistics – key challenges
It is of large importance to draw up plans preparation of evacuation infrastructure. According to the erstwhile head of the Ministry of abroad Affairs Maciej Kierwinski, the State must be able to transport citizens to defined places.
This means:
- Designations evacuation routes,
- Creations Meeting points and accommodation,
- Guarantees means of transport and supplies,
- Preparation of assistance personnel and order services.
Plans must take into account geographical diversity – an evacuation is organised in a large city or in agrarian areas.
Threat scenarios: not just war
Although the war in Ukraine was a direct impetus for action, the RCB stresses that plans are universal and apply besides to:
- Floods, fires and natural disasters,
- Industrial failures and chemical
- Terrorist attacks,
- Epidemic threats.
The fresh law gives legal basis for a fast and coordinated response, regardless of the kind of threat.
The key function of communication with citizens
The critical component in effective evacuation is efficient crisis communication. RCB plans to usage modern tools specified as:
- RCB Alert – SMS messages sent in the affected area,
- Mobile applications and geolocation systems,
- In case of network failure – traditional channels: megaphones, radio, patrol information services.
As Ukrainian experience shows, telecommunications infrastructure may be the mark of attacksTherefore, plans must include backup and redundancy systems.
Evacuation must be available to all
According to the provisions of the Act, evacuation must take account of needs people with disabilities, aged people, children and people in request of medical support. The plans must include:
- Additional means of transport adapted to disability,
- Personnel for assistance and care of dependents,
- Stocks of drugs and specialized equipment.
This is simply a lesson raised, among others, from dramatic images from Ukraine, where the aged and the sick were peculiarly vulnerable.
Security of convoys – precedence in military scenario
In case of armed conflict The evacuation routes themselves can become targets for attacks. Therefore, close coordination with Polish Armyto ensure:
- Logistics security evacuations,
- Military shield convoys and assembly points,
- Hazard monitoring In real time.
Experience with Bucza or Irpiń shows how crucial it is to defend civilians in the movement.
Coordination between institutions – the foundation of efficient action
The RCB manages the planning process, but many institutions are involved, including:
- Ministry of Interior and Administration,
- Ministry of Infrastructure,
- Ministry of Health,
- Regional and local governments.
This makes it possible to make a coherent multilayer system, which operates both during peace and in exceptional circumstances.
Conclusions: a systemic approach to civilian protection
Evacuation planning is only 1 component of the larger strategy introduced by the Act of 2025. It shall besides include:
- Construction and modernisation of shelters,
- Warning and alarm systems,
- Training and exercises for the public and services,
- Building Social Resistance for emergencies.
This strategy approach is intended to guarantee that Poland is not only prepared for Warbut besides on all another life and wellness risks of the population.
Continued here:
Poland is preparing a plan to evacuate the population. RCB: We must be ready for anything
