Quick and safe access to people trapped in collapsed buildings or disaster zones is crucial to theirsurvival, making the effectiveness of search-and-rescue (USAR) operations an absolute priority.While Poland has a centralised rescue system within the National Rescue and Firefighting System(KSRG), the United States uses a decentralised approach, managed at the state level and supportedfederally by FEMA. Due to its high vulnerability to natural disasters such as hurricanes, the state ofFlorida has one of the most experienced USAR task forces in the country. Globally, both systemsstrive to meet INSARAG (International Search and Rescue Advisory Group) standards, which ensureeffective international coordination. Despite existing research on rescue systems in both countries,there is a lack of comprehensive comparative analysis of the differences in their structure,coordination, and compliance with standards. The aim of this study is to compare the organisation ofsearch-and-rescue operations in Poland and Florida, with particular emphasis on the compliance ofboth systems with the INSARAG international guidelines. The analysis, based on a review of availableliterature, documentation, and expert research, aims to identify key similarities and differences. Asa result, the study identifies promising practices, organisational solutions, and operational experiencesfrom Florida that could be implemented to improve the effectiveness of search-and-rescue operationsin Poland.

The fire service plays a key role in ensuring public safety. The working environment of a firefighter isa burden on health due to numerous risk factors: terrain, weather, chemical, radiological, andbiological factors, as well as mental stress. This narrative review aims to analyse the health risks facedby Polish firefighters, with particular emphasis on psychophysical factors, and to assess theeffectiveness of the protective measures in place. A review of the literature available in PubMed,Google Scholar, Research Gate, Scopus databases was conducted, including publications from 2020to 2025. The selection was made in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The review included55 publications, exclusively peer-reviewed scientific articles (Polish and foreign). Firefighters areexposed to many non-obvious, immediate, and long-term health risks that require a systematicapproach and the implementation of more effective prevention measures.

The article considers the research problem: How to effectively and reliably estimate the amount ofenergy transferred and dissipated in soft tissues (or their simulants), considering their nonlinear,viscoelastic, velocity-dependent mechanical properties, as well as differences resulting from the useof experimental methods and simplified energy models? The basis for addressing this topic is thecomplex structure of soft-tissue simulants, which exhibit a nonlinear stress-strain response anda strong dependence on strain rate. Their response to bullet penetration is difficult to describe usingsimple equations based on kinetic energy; it is necessary to consider cavitation, friction, and viscosity.Currently, we can estimate the energy deposited in soft-tissue simulants using experimental methodsthat record the projectile’s trajectory during penetration and estimate its velocity. These methodsprovide experimental data, but they are costly, and it is difficult to compare results due to the differentresearch methodologies used by the teams, making standardisation difficult and often yieldingdivergent results. The main research questions were as follows: What are the differences betweenexperimental methods in estimating the energy dissipated in tissue simulants? To develop the article,a method of analysis and criticism of the literature was used, involving a systematic, structuredreview of previous scientific studies and existing publications to answer the question posed. Theresult obtained was an answer to the question posed.

This study aimed to analyse how professional firefighters of the State Fire Service in Poland experienceand cope with stress, and to identify factors that facilitate or hinder their psychological adaptationafter exposure to traumatic events. The research problem focused on answering the question: Whatcoping strategies can be observed among State Fire Service officers, and which factors influence theeffectiveness of their psychological adaptation following traumatic incidents? The study employeda mixed-methods approach, including a review of relevant scientific literature and availableinstitutional reports, as well as a survey of firefighters. The Mini-COPE inventory, adapted to thePolish context by Juczyński and Ogińska-Bulik, was used to assess the coping strategies applied bythe participants. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of firefighters’ psychologicalfunctioning in situations of chronic and acute stress and highlight the importance of targetedpreventive measures and support systems within operational services.

This publication presents the results of a study examining the potential use of a powdered SBR/NBRrubber mixture in rescue operations during uncontrolled releases of hazardous substances. Thesorption properties of the powdered rubber were analysed, along with its impact on fire and explosionhazards during the sorption process and the impact of precipitation on its absorption properties. Therubber demonstrated the highest absorption capacity for the tested benzene derivatives, averaging27% higher than for aliphatic hydrocarbons. A significant decrease in maximum sorption capacitywas observed for polar liquids such as low-molecular-weight alcohols (C1-C4) and organic acids (C1-C2), as well as the effect of chain length on the sorption efficiency of acetic acid esters. The absorptioncapacity of the rubber waste was estimated to be 2-3 times greater than that of popular calcinedsorbents, offering great promise for the effective use of rubber in rescue operations. Studies haveshown a significant reduction in the rate of liquid evaporation following the sorbing process relativeto unabsorbed liquid, even at low wind speeds. Studies of susceptibility of the sorbent to leaching byatmospheric precipitation revealed no leaching of the organic phase by water and no loss of absorbentproperties.

This article examines Nepal as a case study of strategic rivalry between the United States and thePeople’s Republic of China, with particular emphasis on the role of hydropolitics in shaping thiscompetition. The research is guided by the question of how U.S.–China rivalry, especially in the fieldof water resources and hydropower development, affects Nepal’s domestic politics and its broaderstrategic position in South Asia. Methodologically, the study employs a qualitative approachcombining case study research with content analysis of academic literature, institutional reports, andofficial documents, complemented by selected press sources to capture recent developments. Theanalysis integrates perspectives from geopolitics and security studies, highlighting how externalinfluences interact with internal political divisions. The findings indicate that the reduction of U.S.assistance during the Trump administration opened space for Chinese expansion through the Beltand Road Initiative, deepening Nepal’s economic and technological dependence on Beijing. At thesame time, the ratification of the Millennium Challenge Corporation agreement in 2022 demonstratedhow U.S. engagement continues to polarize Nepal’s political landscape. From a hydropoliticalperspective, China’s infrastructural projects in Tibet increase Nepal’s vulnerability to externalpressure, yet the country’s growing hydropower potential and cross-border energy trade with Indiasuggest opportunities for strategic leverage. The article concludes that U.S.–China rivalry in Nepalreinforces domestic polarization while constraining the country’s autonomy in foreign policy. At thesame time, it underscores Nepal’s importance as a hinge state in South Asia, where hydropolitics isincreasingly central to regional security and cooperation.

The objectives of this study were: to investigate and compare the mass concentration of size-resolvedparticulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, and PM35) in indoor air of three rooms of a selected firestation in Poland (i.e. common room, laundry room, and garage); to compare them with the massconcentration of size-resolved PM in a single-family residential building; and to estimate andcompare the health exposure of occupants of these two building types related to measured PMconcentrations. At each point, measurements were conducted for 12 hours a day for 7 days in heating(26/01/2025–24/02/2025) and non-heating (27/05/2025–27/06/2025) seasons using Grimm 11-Daerosol spectrometer (optical method). As indicated by the data, elevated concentrations of PM wereobserved in both the fire station and the single-family house during the heating season whencompared to the non-heating season. During the heating season, the mean PM concentrationsranged from 17.1 to 68.0 μg/m3 and 17.5 to 48.4 μg/m3, while during the non-heating season, theyranged from 6.8 to 42.4 μg/m3 and 9.2 to 35.5 μg/m3 for the fire station and single-family house,respectively. At each measurement point, with the exception of the laundry room during the heatingseason, the majority of the PM mass was accumulated as coarse particles (55% to 72%). The exposureassessment demonstrated that the highest values of PM deposition in the lung alveoli were recordedfor the laundry room, garage, and single-family house during the heating season and for the laundryroom during the non-heating season. The results obtained in this study can be used in future studiesto assess the health risks of firefighters exposed to air quality inside fire stations. They can also beused to designate directions for further research in this area.

The article addresses the issue of canine support in water rescue in Poland, focusing on the analysisof the training and certification system for rescue dogs and their handlers, implemented by entitiesauthorised to perform water rescue. This study omits issues related to the use of dogs to detect thescent of human corpses under water.The research problem boils down to the question of what model of canine support should be appliedin the national water rescue system in order to effectively utilise the potential of dogs and increase theeffectiveness of rescue operations. hypothesis has been put forward that the most effective solutionwould be model based on consistent legal framework, multi–level training and certification system,and the integration of the activities of state structures and non-governmental organisations.It was assumed that the current legal and organisational situation does not fully correspond to rescuepractice, while the experience of non-governmental organisations and international standards canprovide valuable reference for the development of national model.The legal status and organisational and social challenges that hinder the effective functioning ofdog–handler teams in water rescue operations were discussed. The prospects for the developmentof canine support were also presented, pointing to the need to adapt training and certificationrequirements to the real working conditions of teams at bathing sites. The need to distinguishbetween water work, canine sports and professional water rescue was emphasised, which willallow harmonious development of each of these areas. The article draws attention to theimportance of public education and promoting responsible approach to working with rescuedogs. In addition, attention is paid to identifying systemic barriers and potential directions forthe development of this form of rescue support in the context of national institutional conditionsand rescue practice.

Methane (CH₄) is a gas formed alongside coal through the decomposition of organic matter underanaerobic conditions. The gas molecules accumulate in micropores or submicropores located in thecoal matrix through the process of adsorption. During deposit exploitation, a decrease in pressurewithin the rock mass initiates desorption, leading to the release of methane into the mine workings.The impact of this gas on the environment and human activity is twofold. On the one hand, methanehas always posed a real threat to mining safety. In concentrations exceeding 4% by volume, it formsan explosive mixture with oxygen in the presence of an ignition source. On the other hand, methane,as one of the greenhouse gases, contributes to global warming and climate change. From anotherperspective, methane is seen as a resource of the future, potentially forming the basis of the energyeconomy for coming generations. Effective capture and recovery of methane from mine ventilationair and coal seam boreholes create opportunities for its utilisation as an energy carrier, whilesimultaneously enhancing mining safety and mitigating its negative environmental impact.In order to limit emissions of this gas into the atmosphere, legal regulations have been introduced,and namely the so-called Methane Directive. The article was developed in response to the increasingrelevance of methane recovery from hard coal mines and the need to implement effective,environmentally friendly, and economically viable solutions. It presents two approaches to methanerecovery: Direct Methane Extraction (DME), considered a short-term solution, and MethaneExtraction with Drainage (MEWD), a long-term approach involving methane removal together withmine water and its subsequent treatment. The work introduces an original classification of methanerecovery methods, dividing them into separation and utilisation techniques, with consideration oftheir application potential and possibilities for integration into hybrid systems, such as combiningCarbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) or Silicoaluminophosphate-34 (SAPO-34) with Pressure SwingAdsorption (PSA) or cryogenic distillation. Particular attention is devoted to ventilation air methane(VAM), the emissions of which account for approximately 50% of total methane emissions frommines. It is highlighted that ongoing research aimed at optimising methods such as PSA, HydrateGas Bearing Systems (HGBS), cryogenic distillation, and membrane separation will soon allow theiradaptation for VAM recovery. The study also discusses the importance of techniques supporting themethane recovery process, the application of which should account for geological conditions. It isunderlined that in many cases, combining separation methods with supportive techniques isnecessary to improve the overall efficiency of the process. The objective of the article is to provide a synthetic overview and an analysis of available methanerecovery methods, to identify current technological trends, and to outline future directions for theirapplication. The work draws attention to the applicable legal regulations concerning greenhouse gasemission reduction, as well as activities undertaken within ongoing research projects, confirming thecontinuing process of energy transition. Although the effective recovery and utilisation of methanefrom ventilation air (VAM) is still in the stage of technological refinement, current experienceindicates high application potential and possibilities for wider implementation.The article offers a comprehensive perspective on the issue of methane recovery in a global context,with particular emphasis on deployments carried out in Poland. The study aims to provide practicalinsights for optimising methane extraction and utilisation technologies while supporting dualobjectives: environmental protection and efficient management of natural resources. The conductedreview demonstrates significant technological progress in the improvement of methane recoverymethods, including the use of previously implemented solutions such as Regenerative ThermalOxidizers (RTO) and Thermal Flow Reversal Reactors. Enhancing the efficiency of these technologiesand their potential for wider use in Poland and worldwide is highlighted. The article emphasises thediversity of available solutions and the necessity to select them based on applicability and localconditions. It provides practical insights into optimising development directions, illustrating theongoing technological transformation driven by industrial deployments and research projects, whilesimultaneously supporting the goals of environmental protection and rational resource management.

The environmental impacts of modern armed conflict pose a growing challenge to global securitygovernance. While the human and economic costs of war are well-documented, its ecological effects,including deforestation, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss are lessexamined in mainstream security studies. Given the rising instability of the climate and the strategicuse of environmental disruption in warfare, there is an urgent need to include environmentalaccountability in the operational and legal frameworks of security policy.This article aims to clarify how digital evidence on conflict-related ecological harm can be translatedinto actionable accountability. Specifically, it: (1) identifies and systematises the main pathwaysthrough which armed conflict generates environmental damage and why existing accountabilitymechanisms rarely activate; (2) assesses the added value and constraints of Earth observation (EO)and AI-based analytics for detecting, quantifying, and attributing harm across four conflict settings(Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen); and (3) derives design principles for a multi-level framework ofdigital environmental accountability that connects monitoring outputs to legal, institutional, andoperational responses. The main research question is: How can Earth observation and artificialintelligence be effectively integrated into legal, institutional, and operational frameworks to enhanceenvironmental accountability during armed conflict?Methodologically, the study uses a qualitative, interdisciplinary approach that combines doctrinalanalysis of international humanitarian law and the Rome Statute, empirical case studies (Ukraine,Syria, Iraq, Yemen), and technical evaluation of satellite and AI-driven surveillance systems.The findings show that while EO and AI greatly enhance the visibility of ecological damage in conflictzones, their transformative potential relies on institutional integration and normative reform. The articleadvocates for a multi-level accountability framework connecting digital monitoring to legal mechanisms,military standards, and participatory transparency platforms. In doing so, it reconceives environmentalsecurity as a vital part of strategic stability and just warfare in the context of planetary crisis.