The deployment is part of a month-long European Union pre-positioning program designed to strengthen firefighting capabilities in regions at high risk of extreme weather events. Over the course of August, a total of 105 Polish firefighters will serve in three consecutive 35-member rotations in the Castilla-La Mancha region of central Spain.
Speaking before the departure, PSP Chief Commander Brig. Gen. Wojciech Kruczek said the firefighters would face demanding conditions.
"Spain is currently dealing with several major wildfires and many smaller fires that continue to emerge. Our firefighters will certainly have their hands full," he said.
The first group will remain in Spain until August 11, with the second rotation serving from August 10–20 and the final team from August 20–31.
The Polish firefighters will be stationed in two locations approximately 180 kilometers apart: the regional capital Toledo and the city of Cuenca.
Unlike conventional firefighting operations, the Polish teams will work as members of Ground Forest Fire Fighting (GFFF) modules, which specialize in tackling wildfires in difficult terrain without the use of heavy fire engines.
According to Deputy Brigade Commander Jakub Siczek, who previously visited the deployment area, the Polish contingent will be divided into two operational units, Alpha and Bravo.
"Every day we will travel to the bases where Spanish firefighters are stationed. Together, shoulder to shoulder, we will head to the firegrounds," Siczek said.
He noted that Spanish firefighters had recently participated in joint exercises in Poland and now have confidence in their Polish counterparts.
Poland responded to Spain's formal request for assistance as the country continues to struggle with extreme heat and wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of hectares of land.
The mission is part of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and its pre-positioning program, which places specialized firefighting teams in wildfire-prone regions before emergencies escalate.
(aj)
SOURCE: IAR