Today, we live in abnormal times—let’s call it what it is. We live in a reality where Polish state institutions are being used in an election campaign—we’re talking about the prosecutor’s office, the Supreme Audit Office (NIK), and unfortunately, even the Prison Service. We live in a Poland where volunteer fire departments (OSP) are being pressured by the Polish state. Firefighters are interrogated by the Internal Security Agency (ABW) and prosecutors simply because they accepted support from the Polish government—fire trucks or other equipment that we all need, said Dr. Karol Nawrocki today in Alwernia (Lesser Poland Voivodeship).
During a press conference in Alwernia, Dr. Karol Nawrocki, a candidate for president of Poland, emphasized that OSP units are “not just a cultural heritage but also the real, daily hard work of firefighters.”
“As president, I will take OSP activities under my patronage and advocate for them to benefit from what was normal during the eight years of the United Right’s governance—support from the Polish government through various development projects. Today, we live in abnormal times, and we must call it by its name. We live in a reality where state institutions are being weaponized in an election campaign—the prosecutor’s office, NIK, and even the Prison Service. We live in a Poland where OSP units face pressure from the state. Firefighters are being interrogated by the ABW and prosecutors just because they accepted fire trucks or other essential equipment from the government. This must end. A state whose institutions harass volunteer firefighters must come to an end,” Nawrocki declared.
The candidate stressed that “firefighters need state support, not a state that persecutes them when they try to save lives.”
“Civil security is a challenge for everyone. Poland will be safe when we achieve military, energy, and food security—but also when we ensure civil security, which cannot be built without firefighters, both professional (PSP) and volunteer (OSP). Poland’s rescue system is one of the best, and many countries envy what we’ve built thanks to the dedication of our firefighters and volunteers,” he added.