Abstract
Aim: The purpose of this article is to present an already operative educational programme designed for State Fire Services’ (PSP) and Volunteer Fire Services’ (OSP) firefighters, namely „System wsparcia odbiorów i testowania wyrobów i rozwiązań stosowanych w ochronie przeciwpożarowej” (“A support system for quality acceptance and testing of products and solutions applied in fire protection”), in its usefulness and functionality context. The programme is administered by the Józef Tuliszkowski Research Centre for Fire Protection – National Research Institute (CNBOP-PIB). The courses run so far are described and survey results presented. Furthermore, the results of surveys conducted among participants in these courses are analysed in detail and changes are proposed to firefighting pumps, firefighting fixtures, and technical and user requirements for fittings and hydrants on firefighting vehicles.
Introduction: The State Fire Service, and producers and suppliers, are continually defining their needs in the field of products used to ensure public safety and the protection of health and life and property. The durability, ergonomics, reliability and high quality of these products, and also properly conducted conformity-assessment processes, are crucial for fire safety and for the effectiveness of fire and rescue operations.“Support system” addresses all these needs. This programme can be used to exchange information and experience, thus resulting in amended mandatory requirements. Due to the use of this type of study, it was possible to determine the accuracy, effectiveness and scientific value of the presented material. Despite the use of a method to quantify the objectives of the study, participants also expressed their opinions and suggestions in a narrative form, which makes it possible to draw conclusions and set directions of change in the field in question.
Methodology: The authors presented items in the educational programme managed by the Research Centre for Fire Protection – National Research Institute (CNBOP-PIB). The training programmes were discussed. Survey results, firefighters’ experiences and opinions in the field of fire-fighting vehicles were analysed. The factors taken into consideration included the experiences of the trainees and their opinions on the vehicles used by the State Fire Service and the Volunteer Fire Service during rescue operations. Due to the use of this type of study, it was possible to determine the accuracy, effectiveness and scientific value of the presented material. Despite the use of a method to quantify the objectives of the study, participants also expressed their opinions and suggestions in a narrative form, which makes it possible to draw conclusions and set directions of change in the field in question.
Conclusions: – The product commissioning and testing system is a solution which, thanks to stationary and remote training, affords a comprehensive approach to the needs reported by representatives of the Volunteer Fire Service Units dealing with the procurement of rescue and extinguishing equipment, logistics and supplies. – The system can be used to exchange experiences between certification specialists and end-users, thus resulting in changes to the requirements related to the equipment used by the Volunteer Fire Service and, consequently, improved public safety. – Depending on the scope of their use, the technical/functional requirements should be specified with more detail, or amended.
Keywords: support system, education, fire safety, training, technical and operational requirements (WTU)
Type of article: review article