Polish Red Cross at key events on security and population protection

In May, the Polish Red Cross actively participated in three important events dedicated to safety, civil protection, and building social resilience in Poland. The congresses and fairs in Krakow, Rzeszow, and Poznan demonstrated the importance of cooperation between public administration, local governments, non-governmental organizations, and crisis response experts.

The Polish Red Cross participated in the Civil Protection and Rescue Fairs - Protega. This is one of the most important events dedicated to safety, civil protection, and crisis management in Poland. The Polish Red Cross led an expert debate titled "From Diagnosis to Action: How to Effectively Implement the OLiOC System at the Local Level?" which included: Kamil Raczyński - specialist in civil protection at the Polish Red Cross; Robert Klonowski from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, Tomasz Telesiński from the Association of Municipalities and Counties of Greater Poland; Krzysztof Frąckowiak - head of the Humanitarian Aid Group of the Polish Red Cross in Poznań, Dr. Dariusz Dymek from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, and Artur Rolka - mayor of the City of Paczków.

During the panel, it was repeatedly emphasized that the effective functioning of the system requires close cooperation between public administration, local governments, social organizations, and other participants in public life. The role of humanitarian organizations as partners supporting the building of local safety and enhancing response capabilities was particularly underscored.

At the fair, the Humanitarian Aid Groups and Rescue Groups of the Polish Red Cross from Poznań were present, conducting demonstrations, first aid training (including for animals), and showcasing actions aimed at preparing citizens for crisis situations. The event also became an opportunity for exchanging experiences and promoting best practices in crisis response.

The Polish Red Cross was a social partner of the II National Congress and Local Government Forum "Safe Poland and Citizens. New Civil Defense System." During the event, the Polish Red Cross representative Marcin Kowalski participated in discussion panels on building a modern civil protection and civil defense system in Poland.

Particular attention was paid to the role of non-governmental organizations in the crisis response structure and their cooperation with public administration and state services. It was emphasized that an effective security system must be based on partnership, efficient communication, and the utilization of the experiences of organizations operating directly in the field. During the debates, practical experiences of the Polish Red Cross were discussed, including actions taken from the first days of the war in Ukraine, the organization of medical points in Subcarpathia, as well as support for residents during the floods in 2024 and training conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration.

During the congress, the Rescue Group of the Polish Red Cross in Krakow, the Humanitarian Aid Group of the Polish Red Cross in Krakow, and the Małopolska Branch of the Polish Red Cross had their booth. Attendees could learn about the activities of the Polish Red Cross in the areas of civil protection and civil defense, as well as find out more about our rescue system, educational programs carried out by the Polish Red Cross, and receive training in basic first aid.

The event concluded with an award for the Polish Red Cross in the category of non-governmental organizations for its special contribution to building resilience and the civil defense system in Poland.

The Polish Red Cross was also present during the Congress on the Security of Poland and Smart City Forum. The organization served as the honorary patron of the event, which combined the themes of modern technologies, urban development, and the broadly understood security of the state and its citizens.

During the congress, a dialogue took place between public administration, local governments, the technological sector, and experts dealing with security and innovations. Present at the event was a booth from the Subcarpathian Branch of the Polish Red Cross, showcasing the organization’s activities in rescue, education, and humanitarian aid. It was particularly noteworthy that the Subcarpathia region has strategic significance for the country's security system, which further emphasized the importance of the Polish Red Cross's presence at this event.

All three events demonstrated the growing role of the Polish Red Cross in the system of security and civil protection in Poland. The significance of cooperation between institutions, building local resilience, and public education as key components of effective crisis response was emphasized.

The Polish Red Cross consistently develops its activities in the areas of rescue, education, humanitarian aid, and strengthening social resilience, remaining one of the key partners in the state security system.