“You have given a beautiful testimony to the heroism of Poles — to the bravery of our officers, firefighters, and rescuers — and above all, to the quality of our public service, which reflects the strength of the Republic itself,” said President Andrzej Duda during Sunday’s Firefighter’s Day celebrations at Piłsudski Square in Warsaw.
Prezydent @AndrzejDuda: Dziękuję, że mimo ryzyka niezmiennie niesiecie pomoc. Realizujecie zadania z wielkim poświęceniem. Dziękuję w imieniu wszystkich Rodaków.
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The central ceremony marking Firefighter’s Day took place on Sunday, with President Duda presenting state honors and general officer promotions to members of the State Fire Service. Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak also awarded ceremonial sabers. Volunteer firefighters were likewise recognized with state decorations. This year’s celebrations were held under the honorary patronage of the Minister of the Interior and Administration.
Promotions to the rank of brigadier general were awarded to four officers: Deputy Chief Commander of the State Fire Service Brig. Gen. Paweł Frysztak, Deputy Chief Commander Brig. Gen. Grzegorz Szyszko, Rector-Commander of the Fire Service Academy Brig. Gen. Tomasz Klimczak, and Podkarpacie Province Commander Brig. Gen. Tomasz Baran.
A total of 422 graduates of the Fire Service Academy and organizational units of the State Fire Service were promoted to the rank of junior captain — including 40 women.
“Thank You for the Testimony”
In his speech, President Duda emphasized that the fire service enjoys the highest level of public trust in Poland. “Whenever something bad happens, when people don’t know what to do, they call the fire department — and you always come,” he said. “That’s why you are trusted more than any other service — because you are always there when people need help.”
Addressing the newly promoted firefighters, the president reminded them that their advancement comes with greater responsibility — to serve, as the fire service motto says, “To the Glory of God, to the Rescue of People.”
He also called on the government to continue supporting the fire service through modernization efforts, investment in new vehicles, improved training systems, and enhanced equipment. “We must care for our firefighters, just as you care for us,” the president urged.
“Thank you for the powerful testimony you have given — to the heroism of Polish people, Polish officers, firefighters, and rescuers — and most of all, to the strength of our services and, by extension, the strength of the Republic,” he concluded.
As part of the celebrations, a Firefighter’s Picnic is taking place in the nearby Saxon Garden until 5 p.m.
International Firefighters’ Day is celebrated on May 4. Its patron is Saint Florian, a Roman legionary who was martyred for his Christian faith and drowned in the River Enns in Upper Austria on May 4, 304 AD. His relics were brought to Kraków in 1184 by the Bishop of Modena at the request of Kraków’s Bishop Gedka. Veneration of the saint in Poland intensified after a fire in 1528 destroyed much of the Kleparz district of Kraków — sparing only St. Florian’s Church.