Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński, Minister Mariusz Kamiński and Deputy Minister Maciej Wąsik presented details of the bill on civil protection and the state of natural disaster. Ministry officials:

During the conference, Minister Mariusz Kamiński recalled that the new procedures were developed based on crisis experiences related to the pandemic, the arrival of refugees from Ukraine, and threats associated with weather-related situations such as fires, hurricanes and floods. He also said that the bill had been discussed at meetings of the Committee of the Council of Ministers for National Security and Defence Affairs.

The bill presented is to be an important supplement to the adopted Homeland Defence Act. Minister Kamiński:

The bill on civil protection and the state of natural disaster focuses on matters related to crisis management and the situation of the civilian population in extreme circumstances.

Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński:

When preparing this bill, we took into account the dangers characteristic of the current difficult period—that is, what is happening in Ukraine and what had already been happening earlier on Poland’s border with Belarus.

The chairman of the Committee of the Council of Ministers for National Security and Defence Affairs recalled that the law should be applied in such a way that dangers can be identified as quickly as possible and appropriately countered.

Structure and financing of the new system

The head of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration spoke about changes concerning the operation of the Government Crisis Management Team (RZZK):

We want the Government Crisis Management Team to be a decision-making body in the most serious situations, so that the decision-making and executive centres are concentrated in one place.

What changes are PiS’s leading politicians proposing?

  • The RZZK will be headed by the prime minister, with the minister of the interior as his deputy.
  • If crisis situations affect a smaller area, the relevant measures will be taken by the minister of the interior and the provincial governors.
  • A Civil Protection Fund will be established to finance civil protection tasks.

Where will the money come from?

Minister Kamiński: – The bill sets these funds at 0.1% of our country’s GDP, which under current conditions means approximately PLN 3 billion. It will be a non-expiring fund; unused funds from a given year will carry over to the next year. These are very serious instruments for effective action.

Who will receive these funds?

The ministry explains: – The funds from the Fund will be divided, with half placed at the disposal of the head of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration and half at the disposal of the provincial governors. They may be used, among other things, for activities related to providing immediate assistance, including support for victims of natural disasters, as well as investments connected with security infrastructure.

It adds: – As part of the Civil Protection Fund, money will also go to the State Emergency Medical System. A corps of paramedics, numbering approximately 10,000, will be established based on the resources of the Volunteer Fire Service to provide assistance in local communities. Within several years, more than 2,800 ambulances will be acquired and delivered to Polish municipalities.

What about those affected?

Minister Mariusz Kamiński also announced that benefits paid to victims of natural disasters would be increased. The amount will rise from PLN 6,000 to PLN 10,000.

Head of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration: – We are also increasing support for rebuilding homes and property from the current PLN 200,000 to PLN 300,000. These funds will be at the disposal of the provincial governor.

The bill also provides for the introduction of mandatory first-aid courses for secondary-school students, conducted by paramedics, as well as the modernisation of the Emergency Notification System (112).

What about preparations in the event of war?

Deputy Minister Maciej Wąsik also spoke about the other changes included in the bill presented today. These include transforming the civil protection system during wartime (the “W” period) into a civil defence system, as well as establishing a National Rescue System to replace the currently operating National Rescue and Firefighting System (KSRG).

The bill on civil protection and the state of natural disaster has been submitted for inclusion in the Council of Ministers’ legislative and programme work list. Details at gov.pl. What do you think? We invite you to join the discussion.