The exercise provided an opportunity to test cooperation between Koleje Dolnośląskie and the services responsible for safety and rescue operations. In a crisis situation, not only reaction time matters, but also experience, the proper assessment of risks, knowledge of the specific nature of railway infrastructure and the efficient cooperation of many services.
– The safety of residents, passengers and railway employees is a priority. That is why we regularly cooperate with the services and check our procedures. Knowledge, experience and the ability to respond efficiently in a crisis situation are of enormous importance for the safety of the people of Lower Silesia – says Paweł Gancarz, Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship.
Three incidents, one joint scenario
The main aim of the “KOLEJ 2026” exercise was to improve the professional knowledge and skills of firefighters and other services, as well as to test in practice the provisions of the County Rescue Plan. The entire process was verified: from receiving a report and identifying the threat, through alerting the appropriate services, to dispatching the necessary personnel and resources.
– Modern railway rolling stock means not only a well-secured technical base, but also people’s competence. Koleje Dolnośląskie invests in the development of its rolling stock and infrastructure while also supporting cooperation with professional rescue services. Their professionalism, sound preparation, knowledge of procedures and mutual trust are essential for responding effectively in a situation of danger – says Michał Rado, Deputy Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, responsible, among other things, for rail transport.
The exercise scenario comprised three incidents. In the first, a Railway Guard patrol noticed a stationary freight wagon while inspecting a siding. There was probably an unconscious person inside, and smoke was coming from the wagon. An intense, irritating smell was detectable nearby, requiring procedures related to a chemical hazard to be initiated.
The second involved a collision between two cars. The immobilized vehicles were on an active level crossing, which further complicated the situation and required close coordination between the services.
The third scenario took place in the KD service hall. A fire broke out in equipment there, and employees heard a loud explosion. This also made it possible to test the capacity to conduct technical and high-angle rescue operations.
Safety begins with preparation
Twenty-five rescue units and nearly 80 firefighters took part in the exercise, representing both the State Fire Service and Volunteer Fire Service, along with cooperating services. The operations assessed the technical and tactical capabilities of fire protection units and other rescue entities, the appropriate selection of personnel and resources, the organization of the operation and the implementation of the adopted tactical plan. The rescue and firefighting capacity of the Municipal Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Legnica was also tested in terms of conducting operations at the facility, as were communication procedures during the operation.
– It is very important that we be ready for unpredictable events. The better prepared we are, and the better prepared the railway, the services and the city and county Crisis Management Departments are, the better it will be for residents. Let us hope that the scenarios being practiced today never happen in reality. It is very good that the State Fire Service, in cooperation with Koleje Dolnośląskie, conducted this exercise, because as a result we will all feel considerably safer – says Maciej Kupaj, Mayor of Legnica.
– Today we are practicing the impact of scale—scenarios in which the scale exceeds the services’ day-to-day operations. We must be prepared for precisely these possibilities, both the services—not only the State Fire Service, but also Volunteer Fire Service units from throughout the county—and the entire administration involved in crisis management. I am pleased that the exercise scenario is so varied; it will certainly produce results and help improve procedures – notes Adam Babuśka, Starost of Legnica County.
Today’s “KOLEJ 2026” exercise showed how important it is to regularly check the procedures and preparedness of all entities responsible for railway safety. As Koleje Dolnośląskie develops, with modern rolling stock and an expanding technical base, the importance of professional services also grows; they must be ready to act in the most demanding situations.
– We have more than 100 trains in our rolling stock, and dispatch more than 600 on routes within a 24-hour period. There can be many such incidents, which is why it is important that these scenarios were tested here. In the future, we will also practice other, considerably more difficult ones – says Damian Stawikowski, President of Koleje Dolnośląskie.
Joint preparation, regular training and knowledge of the specific nature of railways make it possible to build a safety system that meets both the needs of a modern carrier and the challenges increasingly faced by rescue services today.