In a letter to the editorial office, Mirosław Skulski made several accusations against the commune head. He wrote that the commune head had forbidden firefighters from Różyniec to come to Osła in a response vehicle for the St. Nicholas Day event he had organized, that he had previously refused any funding for OSP Osła, had dismissed the request to provide premises for the association, and generally did not support the establishment of his association in Osła.

– Gromadka Commune runs many campaigns promoting the activities of volunteer fire brigades – said Ryszard Kawka in an official comment on the matter – Schools, preschools, the Municipal Cultural Centre and Library, and even the Children's Club in Modła organize educational activities. I saw no need to involve the OSP unit in Różyniec in a trip to Osła for St. Nicholas Day. It should be added that the association in Osła was established without consultation with the commune authorities, although in accordance with the regulations, and that this unit does not belong to the OSP association of Gromadka Commune – said the commune head.

A separate accusation was the suggestion that commune head Kawka had let the children down by not sending a response vehicle to the St. Nicholas Day event.

– Two weeks before St. Nicholas Day, I called the deputy president of OSP Różyniec and asked whether they would come in a fire engine so that they could show it to the children – wrote Mirosław Skulski. – The deputy president expressed a willingness to come and confirmed it during the telephone conversation. It is no longer important to us that the deputy president from Różyniec did not let us know earlier that they would not come; we would have planned something else for the children. What outraged us and the parents, however, was the attitude of the commune head, who acted this way. Does former teacher and current commune head Ryszard Kawka dislike children? We understand that the commune head opposes OSP Osła, because he announced this to residents himself at a village meeting, saying that he did not support the fire brigade in Osła, and that this was why he lost the election in that locality. The truth is different, but if that is what the commune head thinks, perhaps it should make him consider whether a large part of the residents support OSP Osła? – Skulski asked in an email.

The commune head replied that there was plenty of evidence that children in Gromadka Commune received special care. He also had other information from residents of Osła.

– I worked as a teacher all my life and devoted all my strength and ideas to showing what is beautiful, wise and good – the commune head replied. – We organize many events for children. This year, it was a seaside summer camp for one hundred children who went away on holiday. The commune provided a subsidy of more than PLN 1,000 for each child. We also subsidized a seaside sports camp for GKS Gromadka players: Żaks, Młodziks and Juniors. Twenty-five young athletes went to the seaside. We support the “I Can Swim” and “I Swim Further” programs. These are only some of our activities. I ask adults that before promising something to children, they first ask whether the funds will be available. A request cannot be coercion. Referring to the contents of Mr. Skulski’s email, it should be added that at the meeting in Osła, residents stated that they were satisfied with the existing fire-protection structure in Gromadka Commune. They clearly said that there was no need to create an additional OSP unit – added Ryszard Kawka.

The OSP situation in Gromadka Commune

Gromadka Commune has exceptionally well-organized and equipped fire protection. Of 11 sołectw, we have five OSP units, including three in the national system. The distribution of the units is truly ideal. In the south of the commune there are OSP Różyniec and OSP Krzyżowa. Both units are in the national system and are equipped with three response vehicles, including one heavy vehicle in Różyniec. These units have 53 active and insured firefighters.

In the center of the commune we have OSP Gromadka, including two response vehicles, while its personnel consists of 18 active and insured firefighters. This unit is also in the national system.

The northern part of Gromadka Commune is served by OSP units in Wierzbowa and Nowa Kuźnia, equipped with three response vehicles. A total of 39 volunteer firefighters are on active duty in both units.

The annual cost of maintaining these units is more than PLN 900,000, excluding investment, meaning the cost of purchasing new equipment.

Finally, the opinion of the County PSP Commander should be mentioned: he positively assesses the operation and organization of fire protection in our commune.

Gromadka commune head Ryszard Kawka

illustrative photo