The district-level qualifiers for the National Firefighting Knowledge Tournament were held in the assembly hall of the Zespół Szkół Mechanicznych in Bolesławiec. They were organized by the District Board of the Association of Volunteer Fire Brigades of the Republic of Poland. Students from primary schools, middle schools and upper-secondary schools took part in the competition.
In the primary school category, the winner was Jan Łaniocha from the primary school in Gościszów (he won a bicycle!). Second place went to Patryk Oleksy from the primary school in Nowogrodziec, while third place was taken by Paulina Owerko from Primary School No. 5 in Bolesławiec.
In the middle school category, the first prize was won by Weronika Junak from the middle school in Nowogrodziec. Second place went to Agata Bachusz from Iwiny, and third place to Agnieszka Rak from Nowogrodziec.
Among upper-secondary school students, Mateusz Kopeć proved to be the best. Second place went to Anna Latosińska (both are from II LO in Bolesławiec). Third place went to Dawid Stryczek from the Zespół Szkół Budowlanych.
The participants’ performance was assessed by a jury consisting of: Jerzy Kieler, Amelia Zielonka, Zbigniew Bożęcki, Rafał Ryś and Robert Brzeziński.
Zbigniew Bożęcki, president of the District Board of the Association of Volunteer Fire Brigades of the Republic of Poland, believes that if even one child broadens their knowledge of firefighting thanks to the competition, then it is worthwhile organizing tournaments of this kind. “What is more, after this competition there are always more recruits in the Volunteer Fire Brigades, and that is precisely the point,” he says with a smile.
“Interest in this event grows every year,” emphasizes Adam Maksymczyk, director of ZSM and co-organizer of the tournament. “It is worth adding that the students of the ‘mechanics school’ will have the opportunity to complete a 105-hour OSP rescuer course. This is another profession that can be learned at this school.”
The competition was enhanced by a demonstration performed by firefighters from the District Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Bolesławiec. The winners of Monday’s qualifiers will represent our district at the provincial level.
(information: ii)