Firefighters’ traditions in the context of preservation of the environment and shaping of the cultural heritage of the frontier region of Gmina Poronin and Obec Kokava

THE HISTORY OF VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS

People have been fighting fire ever since the ancient history, however, it used be spontaneous and disorganised. Despite the heroic efforts of the rescuers, battling the element of fire was often futile and in the best-case scenarios it served as the damage control.

In Poland the organised firefighting dates back to the beginning of the Middle Ages, although it applied solely to the major cities. There were no specialized formations created in order to fight the fires and the firefighting duties were imposed on the local governments, as well as on the manufactories and trading companies. Sadly, it was not a perfect solution as the damage caused by the fires was still substantial in many cases.

It was not before the 19th century when the idea of formation of trained firefighting structures equipped with specialized tools emerged. However, even at that time the development of the firefighting formations varied depending on the region of Poland, due to changing political conditions. The occupants generally opposed the creation of any civil formations, which is why the number of fires increased year by year and the damage caused by the fires was devastating. The wooden houses with outbuildings, which at the time were typical structures in the villages of Podhale, created a lot of fire hazard, which is why the governors of the Austrian partition decided to take a more liberal approach. During the second half of the 19th century the first fire brigades were formed in various regions of the country. In Podhale, they were created in Nowy Targ (1881), Zakopane (1889) and Szaflary (1894).

On the territory of today’s Gmina Poronin the first fire brigades were founded at the turn of the 20th century in Poronin and Ząb - based on The Associations Act of November 15th 1867 and laws of imperial-royal Austrian occupying government. The main goal of the volunteer fire departments was to preserve lives and possessions of people and provide them with an organised help in life-threatening situations caused by fires and other natural disasters.

Apart from fighting fires the volunteer fire departments served the society in many cardinal ways - their most important task was fire prevention.

The firefighting brigades were founded in the spirit of patriotism and independence movements. In many cases the brigades included their own orchestras and theatrical troupes. They also played a huge role during celebrations of the national anniversaries.

In order to fight the elements the volunteer fire departments were provided with uniforms and essential tools and equipment by the fire-fighting associations. The members of the fire brigades were honourable and supportive men, who served selflessly and without payment.

The course of action of the fire-fighting associations were decided on the general meetings of its members. During those meeting the members of the association would choose their management board, which included a chairman, a corps commander, a second-in-command and a few members. The commander and his second-in-command were chosen by the general meeting of the members and approved by the district council. At the beginning of the 20th century the most often used equipment were hand-driven fire pumps (also known as the spritzes), hand-driven suction and force pumps, suction hoses, fire-fighting webbing hoses, water jets, water cans, ladders, foldable stepladders composed of two, three or four flights, grappling hooks, tin pails, axes and fire flappers, which were made of light, hollow poles ending with birch brooms. The brooms were wrapped inside a thick linen or put inside a linen bag full of fur or thatch. The equipment was kept in sheds and barns on private estates.

Although in the beginning the only sign of being a part of fire-fighting forces was an armband, firefighters’ uniforms not unlike the military ones were gradually implemented. The same applied to the badges, ranks and functions within the organisations.

For their rescue operations the firefighters would wear uniform blouses and pants and helmets – at first made of leather and later on tin ones. They also had leather high-top shoes and hemp belts reinforced with leather, which they used to carry their axe sheathes, snap hooks and nails. Over their right shoulders each firefighter carried a 25-meters long rescuing rope ending with a thumb knot on one side and a small carabiner on the other. For the special occasions the firefighters of Podhale would wear a dark blue blouse and traditional highlanders’ pants and shoes, known as kierpce. As a headpiece they would wear cloth horned caps or traditional hats.

The third volunteer fire department of Podhale was founded in Murzasichle right before the World War I began and the fourth one was established in Nowe Bystre in 1914. What’s interesting is that it was probably founded in the place of an old firefighters’ station of the agricultural association, which had existed since 1900.

Seven years after Poland had once again become independent a volunteer fire department was established in Suche.

During World War II another fire department was founded in Małe Ciche and finally, the seventh fire department of Gmina Poronin was established in Bustryk in the beginning of the fifth decade of the 20th century.

In the beginning of the 90., after a major regime shift, a volunteer fire department was founded in Stasikówka to improve the fire safety of the rural residents of Gmina Poronin.

Nowadays the volunteer fire departments operate based on The Associations Act of 1989 and register their own statutes in District Courts.

The main goals and methods of operation include:

• Preventing fires in cooperation with State Fire Brigades, local governments and other entities;
• Participating in rescue actions during fires, ecological hazards and other natural disasters and occurrences;
• Informing the local people about fire and ecological hazards and how to prevent them;
• Promoting physical fitness and sport activities among the members of the volunteer fire departments and conducting cultural, educational and entertainment activities;
• Fulfilling other task connected with fire prevention laws.