Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, announced during a press conference on Friday that Marcin Kierwiński, the Interior Minister, is set to assume the role of Chief of Civil Defense.
This announcement was made as part of the unveiling of a preliminary law draft concerning civil defense and security.
Previously, the position of Chief of Civil Defense had been held by the Head of State Fire Service.
Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that the enactment of the homeland defense law by the former Law and Justice (PiS) government in 2023 derogated the previous civil defense law.
He suggested that this bill could potentially be one of the most significant legal acts to be adopted by the current parliament.
“For our government, one of the most important issues is to outline new rules for civil defense and civil security,” he said, pointing out that the defense of the homeland is not only about a strong army and strength of alliances, but the involvement of the whole society.
Importance of Civil Defense Act
Marcin Kierwiński emphasized that the bill underscores the importance of local authorities in crucial decision-making, supported by financial and human resources provided by the state.
“Here, the State Fire Service will play a vital role,” he added.
The draft law, Kierwiński explained, will include “a system for warning, alerting and, in general, anticipating dangerous situations.”
Ideally, in an emergency situation, every citizen would receive precise rescue instructions via multiple channels “so that response time... is as short as possible.”
“Thanks to the Civil Defense Act, Poland will have procedures on how to protect its inhabitants in the event of a serious crisis - a natural disaster or a war threat. It will be known how to prepare shelters and how state services should behave when, for example, the population needs to be evacuated,” said the head of the Ministry of Interior.
He admitted that “currently there are no such procedures.”
“Even if they are partial, they are completely unrelated, not synchronized, without any procedures relating to state services,” Kierwiński added.
Previously, the position of Chief of Civil Defense had been held by the Head of State Fire Service.
Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that the enactment of the homeland defense law by the former Law and Justice (PiS) government in 2023 derogated the previous civil defense law.
He suggested that this bill could potentially be one of the most significant legal acts to be adopted by the current parliament.
“For our government, one of the most important issues is to outline new rules for civil defense and civil security,” he said, pointing out that the defense of the homeland is not only about a strong army and strength of alliances, but the involvement of the whole society.
The bill, currently under discussion with municipal authorities, will soon undergo public consultation, Kosiniak-Kamysz added.Zapewnienie bezpieczeństwa i troska o obywateli 🇵🇱 to bezwzględny priorytet dla rządu. Pracujemy nad ustawą o ochronie ludności, która stawia na pierwszym miejscu zapobieganie zagrożeniom i wzmacnia zdolność do szybkiej i skutecznej reakcji w sytuacjach kryzysowych. Schrony i… pic.twitter.com/lzIT4OiNfG
— Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (@KosiniakKamysz) March 22, 2024
Importance of Civil Defense Act
Marcin Kierwiński emphasized that the bill underscores the importance of local authorities in crucial decision-making, supported by financial and human resources provided by the state.
“Here, the State Fire Service will play a vital role,” he added.
The draft law, Kierwiński explained, will include “a system for warning, alerting and, in general, anticipating dangerous situations.”
Ideally, in an emergency situation, every citizen would receive precise rescue instructions via multiple channels “so that response time... is as short as possible.”
“Thanks to the Civil Defense Act, Poland will have procedures on how to protect its inhabitants in the event of a serious crisis - a natural disaster or a war threat. It will be known how to prepare shelters and how state services should behave when, for example, the population needs to be evacuated,” said the head of the Ministry of Interior.
He admitted that “currently there are no such procedures.”
“Even if they are partial, they are completely unrelated, not synchronized, without any procedures relating to state services,” Kierwiński added.
Source: PAP, TVP World
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