3P – Model of Preparing the Officers of the State Fire Service in Poland for Terrorist Events

Abstract

Aim: The contemporary nature of terrorist attacks forces the rescue services to develop and enhance their operational potential to support the system which guarantees the safety of the civilians. The tasks of the State Fire Service (PSP) in Poland in the country’s anti-terrorist protection system indicate that these units play a key role in neutralizing the effects of terrorist attacks. The tasks of the formation include conducting rescue operations in the field of saving the lives and health of people and protection of property and environment in the situation of a sudden threat, as well as undertaking activities to identify threats, including contamination with chemical and radioactive substances, and conducting initial biological recognition activities. New tools and forms in terrorist threats require much broader skills and competences of PSP officers. Introducing full preparation of PSP officers to act during terrorist events may directly and indirectly strengthen the national anti-terrorist system. Methodology: A non-probabilistic research method with targeted selection using the PAPI (Paper And Pencil Interview) tool was applied. The study was conducted among the management of PSP. The survey involved thirty seven officers, thirty-two of whom were provincial commanders and/or their deputies, as well as officers performing management tasks. The remaining five respondents were officers holding managerial positions in the PSP Headquarters. Literature and legal regulations were reviewed and analysed. Results: In the study officers representing the commanding staff of the State Fire Service were included. A vast majority of the participants of this study claimed that terrorist threats in Poland are real. Which, in turn, resulted in the need to develop far reaching educational programs that adequately prepare fire-fighters to deal with terrorist threats and activities. Conclusions: State Fire Service officers are prepared to respond to many aspects of rescue operations, however, this continues to be an area of great research potential, where the focal point of discussion should focus on the improvement of all aspects of proper and effective response of the State Fire Service terrorist events. An innovative programme that addresses these concerns is the 3P model based on three domains: prevention, practice and psychotraumatology.

Keywords

• fire brigade
• civil protection
• security
• rescue
• terrorist threats