CRISIS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN POLAND

Abstract

The paper presents the elements of critical situation management system,
which currently operates in Poland. Legislative initiatives and valid legal basis of
Polish crisis management system have been discussed as well as the levels of
reacting to ensuing critical situations have been presented. Moreover, the paper
demonstrates particular elements of crisis management system in Poland, such as
National Rescue and Firefighting System, Emergency Medical Services system,
Emergency Alert System, 112 System and the assignments of Government Security
Service. The research paper consists of interviews with experts who deal with
problematic aspects of crisis management. Additionally, basing on the example of
natural disaster – the flood, which took place in Poland from May to August 2010,
the opinions of Polish people about the efficiency of performed rescuing actions
have been introduced. The main aim of the paper, apart from presentation of tasks
and the structure of crisis management system in Poland, is to indicate (inter alia
basing on the opinions of interviewees) the neuralgic areas, functioning of which
requires immediate improvement.