A controversial decision was made in Rybnik, which caused a immense stir not only among volunteer firefighters, but besides among residents. The City Council unanimously decided to choice up the dense combat vehicle of the Fire defender Volunteer Unit (OSP) in Orzepovice and to transfer it to Ukraine. This decision gives emergence to quite a few emotions, especially since the unit that presently has 2 vehicles will now stay with only one.
Request from Ukraine
The mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk partner city late asked Rybnik for support in the form of a fire-fighting car to improve rescue operations and guarantee the safety of civilians. In consequence to this request, Rybnik City Council decided to transfer the fire truck to Ukraine.
Local community reactions
Local media has made a large announcement. Firefighters from Orzepowice OS do not want to comment officially, but it is unofficially known that they are afraid and confused. Many residents and firefighters themselves find the decision absurd, especially since the individual will only have 1 fighting car erstwhile the vehicle is handed over to Ukraine, which will importantly impede its operation.
Just 2 and a half years ago, the Orzepowick Fire Department became active in a collection of gifts to victims of war in the east. They made their rooms available, coordinated logistics on social media, and firefighters collaborated with the local community to aid victims in the conflict. “Now they received a prize for it, although most likely not as they expected”, the local media writes.
Arguments of the City Hall
Press spokeswoman of Rybnik City Office explained that the Jelcz brand car to be handed over is 1 of the oldest fire-fighting vehicles in Rybnik. Produced in 1996, between January 2023 and June 2024 he left only 19 times, including 3 times for fires and 4 times for local threats. After an operational analysis, the PSP Municipal office in Rybnik positively assessed the withdrawal of this vehicle without having to replace it with a fresh one.
Criticism of the Decision
The decision was criticized by residents and any councillors. Despite arguments for support for Ukraine, many believe that specified actions should be thoughtful and should not weaken local fire brigades. They emphasize that even older vehicles, specified as the 1996 Jelcz, are highly valuable to little wealthy individuals as second-round cars.
The Orzepowice TSO unit is 1 of 14 operating in Rybnik, of which 5 are included in the National Rescue and Firefighting strategy (KSRG). Firefighters from Orzepowiec from January 2023 to June 2024 left for action 53 times.
No fresh Vehicle in Replacement
One of the biggest problems is the failure to supply a fresh vehicle in exchange for the vehicle transferred. The city authorities state that KSRG units have precedence over fresh vehicles, which puts TSO Orzepowice in difficulty. The deficiency of a second car will importantly impede their functioning and the anticipation of joining KSRG.
“It is not that helping our Ukrainian friend in this case is wrong. However, the aim is to do it with the head in specified a way that they do not lose on it individuals who are meant to save lives, wellness and property here in Poland. For example, in February 2022, immediately after the Russian aggression, the chief commander of the PSP urged PSP and OS firefighters to a nationwide fire-fighting equipment collection action for firefighters from Ukraine. The consequence to this appeal was immense – a full of 2668 pallets of fire equipment were collected from Poland, including: 26 1000 sets of peculiar clothing, 34 1000 helmets, 30 1000 fire hoses, 15 1000 pairs of fire-fighting boots and 200 fire-fighting cars. Most of these units, or possibly all of them, received adequate backing after the time, so that he could supplement this equipment – for the newer or better. As you can see above, even in specified a short time Poles gave distant quite a few efficient rescue vehicles – firefighting vehicles. At the same time, “the remainder of the world” dedicated about 144 vehicles to Ukraine at the call of Polish firefighters,” writes the editorial board remiza.com.pl
Continued here:
Rodni Rybnik despite the opposition of the residents will hand over the only fire truck in Ukraine
