Earlier this year, four other chief officers from departments across the United States and I were guests of the Main Fire School of Warsaw, Poland. Although the visit took place June 21-28, our trip to Poland really began considerably before then.

In 2004, Chief Bill Peterson and members of the Plano (Texas) Fire Department hosted a group of student firefighters from Poland. Based on the success of that experience, he worked to expand the program to other fire and rescue departments in the United States, soliciting interest through the International Association of Fire Chiefs and personally contacting several friends who had expressed interest in the exchange. The outcome was 12 American fire and EMS chiefs agreeing to have their departments host fire service students from the Main School of Warsaw for a month in the fall of 2005. In return, the commandant of the Main School extended an invitation to those 12 host chiefs to visit the Main Fire School in Poland, and five of us were able to accept.

Those of us who traveled to Poland included Chief James Broman, Lacey (Wash.) Fire Department; Asst. Chief David Kerr, Plano (Texas) Fire Department; Chief Ken Rybka (Ret.), Bedford (Ohio) Fire Department; and Asst. Chief Adam Thiel, Goodyear (Ariz.) Fire and Rescue. For both Rybka and me the trip was more than just a professional journey; our grandparents emigrated from Poland. For all, however, the trip was to learn more about the fire service in Poland and to learn about the culture of the country. The agenda developed by the members of the International Program at the Main School included both experiences.

Fire training the Polish way

The fire service in Poland is a national service, so there is uniformity and standards across the country. After visiting the fire service in several cities and the various schools, we all feel that there is much to be learned about the advantages of having a national service with established uniform standards.

The Polish fire service focuses on fire prevention, fire protection and suppression. They also provide hazmat response and tactical rescue, and they work closely with what we would call emergency management. While firefighters are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid, they don't respond routinely to medical incidents. They do respond and provide first aid to vehicular collisions along with rescue services. EMS is a separate service under another government agency.

Throughout the visit we were impressed by the focus on education of fire service personnel. There are several paths for training/education in the fire service for individuals who have completed high school. They can apply and test for a position at the Main Fire School, which is a four-year degree program. This program provides classroom experience as well as practical experience. The students staff a fire company that protects the school and surrounding neighborhood. Students are involved with the International Program at the school, which coordinates the exchanges with the United States and several European countries.

We were impressed that women were accepted in the four-year program and that several participated in the International Exchange Program. What we did find out during our visit is that upon graduation women are not assigned to firefighting positions in fire stations. They are given administrative positions, work in fire protection or prevention, or conduct research.

Students in the top 5% of the graduating class are allowed to continue at the Main School for an additional year of study to achieve a master's degree in engineering. They graduate with the rank of junior captain.

Another route into the fire service is through a two-year educational experience in one of three Aspirant Schools in Poland. These are residential programs where the students obtain both classroom and practical experience. We were impressed not only with the classrooms and laboratories on campus, but with the practical training area and the large variety of models they had for various training scenarios. Individuals who complete these programs are assigned to fire stations throughout the country but can further their education through weekend programs.

Individuals also have the option of becoming firefighters by applying for a five-month training program very similar to American recruit schools. They are eligible to apply for the Aspirant School as positions are available. They also can advance by applying and attending short courses.

While we were in Poland we had the opportunity to observe a multinational training program conducted by the Main School at training grounds outside of Warsaw. Firefighters from six different countries surrounding Poland attended the 10-day outdoor training workshop. During the experience approximately 80 firefighters trained together on firefighting techniques, rescue and hazardous materials. On the final day of the workshop, the heads of the Main School and Poland Fire Service attended to observe, and the critique was conducted in front of them. The commandant then made presentations to foreign visitors, including our contingency. It became obvious while observing the exercises and the ceremonies that the fire service in Poland is trying to position itself as an emergency service leader in Eastern Europe. The service also has maintained much in the way of military conduct and discipline.

We then had the opportunity to spend a day at the research testing laboratory for the national fire service. The facility's laboratories, where they test fire protection systems, fire equipment and personal protective equipment, were very impressive. All PPE and firefighting equipment has to be tested and certified here before being purchased and used by the fire service.

Our last official day was spent visiting with the deputy commandant of the National Fire Service to discuss the challenges and the development of Poland's fire service since the country has been free from Soviet occupation. He emphasized to us that they wished to continue to participate with an exchange program with the United States because they were eager for their young firefighters to learn the best practices of other countries. During this visit several of us made presentations (via an interpreter) to an assembled group of fire officers and crisis managers. The presentations were on subjects they requested: fire safety in high-occupancy facilities, firefighter safety and pandemic influenza preparations.

Lessons learned

The visit to Poland was a very enlightening and great learning experience for all of us. We learned that the Polish people are very strong and freedom-loving in addition to being very warm and hospitable. The fire service is focused on education and studying the science of fire and fire protection. They are eager to learn from others to advance their fire service practices and professionalism. We were impressed with the uniformity and standards that exist and how well things functioned because of this. The latter is a lesson we are still learning here in the United States.

We returned from the trip more committed to the exchange program than before we left. We recognize that we have as much an opportunity to learn from the Polish fire service as it does from us. We all hope that if the program has the resources to expand, that other departments in the United States will consider participation in the exchange program.

Mary Beth Michos is chief of the Prince William County (Va.) Department of Fire & Rescue and a member of the Fire Chief Editorial Advisory Board.