Firefighters, rescuers, police and soldiers together against the elements. They face not only the great water

Arm in arm, regardless of the color of the uniform worn. Firefighters and soldiers together against the elements. And – just like in Kuźnia Raciborska – they not only build a embankment along the Rudka River to protect residents, but also prepare them for the worst.

– We are really getting ready for a big flood and these are the pessimistic variants – says Senior Brigadier Jarosław Ceglarek from the District Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Racibórz.

The firefighters must not only face the great flood, but also make difficult choices – who and where to save first. The situation is serious, which is why the firefighters are everywhere. They build embankments, strengthen dams, pump water and are the last to leave the front line. Only when – as in Kłodzko – the water threatens their lives.

– They secured the embankments, but it was not enough here. The embankments simply broke and the water got through – reports Captain Krystian Kot from the District Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Kłodzko.

Then they return to the flooded areas, because they are still waiting for help there. Firefighters evacuate residents on boats and pontoons, deliver food and – just like in flooded Czechowice-Dziedzice, when telephones and the internet stopped working – they are simply floating couriers.

– When we receive signals, we either deliver something or evacuate these residents – says Brigadier Piotr Midor from the Municipal Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Bielsko-Biała.

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Soldiers will go where no one else will go.

In Lower Silesia, there are 50 territorials on the front line and 500 in reserve. – We have soldiers called up on the spot, so the reaction time to any place in the province is up to an hour – informs Colonel Paweł Piątkowski from the 13th Silesian Territorial Defense Brigade.

In addition, helicopters – 24 military and police machines. Non-stop on the move to places where it is not only impossible to drive to, but even to sail to.

– We are everywhere where our help is needed – says Deputy Commissioner Przemysław Ratajczyk from the Provincial Police Headquarters in Wrocław.

Police are securing closed roads and guarding abandoned property so that flood victims have something to return to.

– There were people who wanted to take advantage of the human tragedy. There were attempts to steal and break into the premises – informs Michał Tułacz from the Municipal Guard in Kłodzko.

They don't count hours in service – professional firefighters and volunteer firefighters. Everyone is needed. As long as someone is still waiting for help – they ride, swim, fly.

– Everyone was soaked, of course, in such conditions it is possible to work for several hours, then the company was replaced – says Senior Captain Dariusz Pryga from the District Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Nysa.

Firefighters are coming from all over the country to support their colleagues from Silesia and Opole. WOPR rescuers have also been mobilized. If it weren't for their specialized jet ski, it would not have been possible to save a family of four cut off from the world.

– The current was so high that it posed a threat to the rescuers and only the rescuers on jet skis managed to cope – reports Jarosław Białochwałek from the Volunteer Water Rescue Service in Nysa.

Even Baltic rescue specialists came to the rescue. Sea rescuers – this time in fresh water.

– We can evacuate people by car in the same way. Cars can wade to a height of 1.20 meters – says Bartłomiej Krawczyński from the Maritime Search and Rescue Service in Kołobrzeg.

As the water recedes and cleanup begins, officers remain on duty.