This bill does not provide answers to all questions, but it provides direction. The times are such that there is no other way than preparing for a crisis. The Civil Defense Act is intended to be a revolution in protecting the security of the population. There is political agreement on it.
When the hospital in Sosnowiec was built in the 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, it was equipped with a shelter. It was never used and was eventually filled in. However, times are changing.
– The construction of a hospital emergency department with a shelter function is the next step in the development of our hospital. There should be such infrastructure in one of the largest cities in the Silesian Voivodeship – says Aneta Kawka from the Sosnowiec Municipal Hospital.
This is just a project for now, but the chances of its implementation are increasing. The President signed the Act on Civil Protection and Civil Defense.
What does the act assume?
– It revolutionizes the entire population protection and civil defense system. After years of neglect and failure to notice these issues, our government, when adopting this project, concluded that civil protection issues are absolutely critical – says the Minister of Interior and Administration, Tomasz Siemoniak.
The act assumes that every second resident of every city and every fourth resident in the countryside must have guaranteed access to a temporary place of shelter. Such as a properly adapted subway tunnel, basement or underground garage. This means changes in construction law.
– The new requirements provide for issues related to the protection of civilians. Among other things, there are to be emergency shelter points, says Maciej Górka, a real estate expert.
The fire brigade will create the Central Register of Collective Protection Facilities. The burden of their construction, adaptation and maintenance will fall on local governments.
– We have a lot to do. This will require a lot of money, says Marek Wójcik from the Association of Polish Cities. The annual civil defense budget will be no less than 0.3 percent of GDP. This year it would be almost PLN 2.5 billion.
The Secure State Communications System is already being created. In June, the former head of the Internal Security Agency, General Krzysztof Bondaryk, became the government's representative for its construction.
The Act organizes the warning system. Sirens will inform you about threats. When you hear their three-minute modulated sound, turn on the TV or radio, where the details will be provided. Information will also reach us through RCB alerts, online messages and the Regional Warning System application.
Scandinavia is a role model
The core of the Civil Defense Corps established during the war will be firefighters. They will also train local government officials and officials.
– Three months after taking up the position, everyone will have to undergo such training. This is a very good idea in the context of tasks related to combating threats in crisis situations – says Senior Brig. Karol Kierzkowski from the Headquarters of the State Fire Service.
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The authors of the act drew on the experience of Ukraine and Scandinavia, which is considered a model in this area. Example – a Swedish manual on how to prepare for war.
– Together with the minister, we want to provide our compatriots with a manual on how to prepare for crises, and it will be at the beginning of next year, I think we will be ready in April, announced the Minister of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Work on the act lasted over a year. Parliament passed it unanimously.
Main photo source: TVN24