On Monday, May 4, firefighters celebrated their holiday. The celebrations began with a Mass for the firefighting community. The service at the Shrine of the Assumption of the Mother of the Church was celebrated by Father Mariusz Szymański.
After the Mass, a ceremonial assembly was held on the grounds of the Bolesławiec County State Fire Service headquarters, during which the commander Grzegorz Kocon presented his subordinates with commendations and promotions. He promoted Mariusz Janiec to senior fire officer, Stanisław Herdzik to fire officer, and Arkadiusz Nenkin to junior fire officer.
Kocon awarded the rank of senior firefighter to Radosław Ćwik, Rafał Matuszek, Krzysztof Milka, Łukasz Musiał, Robert Piechocki, Krzysztof Przybylski, Kamil Różnicki, Krzysztof Rudzik and Rafał Tomiak.
During Monday’s ceremony, the uniformed officers said farewell to two firefighters who retired after a distinguished career – Jan Rolak and Stanisław Kwapisz. “It is difficult work, but it brings considerable satisfaction,” says Jan Rolak. “I will miss it somewhat, but young people have now taken our places. Let them prove themselves,” he adds with a smile.
The Bolesławiec fire service welcomed Marcin Kowal and Dawid Mierzwa. “It is interesting work. A firefighter is not shut between four walls, but goes out on calls,” says Dawid Mierzwa. “Something new can happen every day.”
The ceremony was attended, among others, by City Council Chairwoman Janina Piestrak-Babijczuk, District Court President Janina Jakubiec, County Labour Office Director Ewa Hryciów, Mayor Piotr Roman, County Governor Cezary Przybylski, Bolesławiec Municipality Secretary Andrzej Dutkowski, Gromadka Commune Head Dariusz Pawliszczy and head of the Bolesławiec police Grzegorz Chirowski.
“Not everyone celebrates Firefighters’ Day precisely on May 4; we adhere to this date,” emphasizes Grzegorz Kocon. As he adds, the headquarters has undergone a staff change over the past two or three years. “At present, nearly half of the firefighters are so-called trainees, who are only taken on permanently after three years of service,” says the commander. “It is rare for us to dismiss someone. Some resign on their own. There are people who cannot respond to road accidents. But most overcome this, because being a firefighter is not service for oneself, but service for others.”
(information ii)