The increasing frequency and intensity of wildland fires, driven by climate change and expandinghuman activity, expose firefighters to complex mixtures of harmful smoke constituents. Inhalationhazards include fine particulates, carbon monoxide (CO), aldehydes, volatile organic compounds,and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, many of which exceed recommended occupational exposurelimits. While Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) provides reliable protection, the weightand limited service life restrict their routine use in wildland firefighting. Air-purifying respirators(APRs) offer a lighter alternative; however, their protective capacity is uneven. APRs equipped withP2/P3 filters and A-type cartridges effectively reduce particulate and selected organic vapourexposure, yet they offer no protection against CO and have limited sorption capacity for lowmolecular-weight aldehydes and light VOCs. Despite these limitations, APRs remain appealing forcertain operational phases, such as mop-up or residual smouldering suppression, where exposurelevels are lower and prolonged use is required. Current research gaps include the absence ofharmonised test protocols that simulate multipollutant wildfire smoke atmospheres and insufficientlong-term epidemiological data. Future work should focus on the development of novel filter media,hybrid filtration systems, and wildfire-specific testing methodologies, complemented by training andawareness-raising among firefighters. Advancing these areas is crucial for bridging regulatoryframeworks, laboratory testing, and field practice to ensure effective respiratory protection inincreasingly severe wildfire scenarios.

In response to escalating climate-related risks, European cities are deploying a broad spectrum ofadaptation measures aimed at enhancing urban resilience. This study seeks to identify, classify andexamine the structural characteristics of adaptation actions implemented in six cities: Barcelona,Frankfurt am Main, Paris, Wroclaw, Cracow and Warsaw. A typological-network approach was adoptedto assess not only the number and nature of the actions undertaken but also their degree of integrationacross five functional categories: ecosystem-based, infrastructural, financial, governance-oriented andsocio-educational. The findings reveal a predominance of infrastructural and ecosystem-basedinterventions, but only limited use of financial instruments. Network analyses have demonstratedpronounced variations in the internal coherence and distribution of adaptation actions among theanalysed cities, which may have implications for the effectiveness and coordination of local adaptationstrategies. The study contributes to the broader discourse on urban climate adaptation and providesevidence to inform strategic urban planning and policymaking.

For many years, driving under the influence of psychoactive substances other than alcohol, i.e.substances with a similar effect, usually marijuana derivatives, has been an issue in Poland. Drivingunder the influence of a psychoactive substance is forbidden and results for example in a mandatorypsychological examination aiming to determine the absence or existence of psychologicalcontraindications to driving a vehicle (Article 82, paragraph 1, item 4a of the Act on Vehicle Drivers).However, defining contraindications remains a significant challenge. These should encompass notonly factors related to the motivation for driving under the influence of substances, but also elementsinvolved in diagnosing potential addiction, as well as psychological aspects that may form the basisfor preventing similar behaviour in the future. Meanwhile, there are no guidelines for psychologicalexamination of this group of people, or clear indications of the impact of substance use on mentalprocesses required for driving a vehicle. Individuals using so-called medical marijuana — prescribed,for instance, for analgesic purposes — are subject to the same treatment as those who consumemarijuana derivatives recreationally. That contributes to a social problem with a real impact on theroad safety aspects.The article discusses the impact of marijuana derivatives on drivers and summarizes standards(recommendations) for psychologists dealing with diagnosis and judgments in the field of transportpsychology. The article can also be a source of knowledge for lawyers, policemen and expert witnessesin this area.

The main objective of this study was to analyse the feasibility of using PyroSim software to evaluate theextinguishing effectiveness of sprinklers in case of fires involving selected combustible materials, whichare often found in modern interiors, such as polyurethane and pinewood. To perform numericalcalculations, a geometric model of the computational domain, consisting of a selected room and itsfurnishings located at the Military University of Technology in Warsaw, was established. This modelwas parameterised and four thermocouples and two sprinklers were deployed. A numerical model ofthe combustion reaction of the selected combustible materials was also developed. This model was usedto conduct numerical analyses for two selected sprinkler models from The Viking Corporation, ModelM, and Grinnell, Model A. HRR fire rate curves, the total heat release curves, and the smoke distributionsat 10, 20, 40, and 60 seconds of the fire duration, as well as the room temperature curves at 10, 30, and60 second were obtained during simulation studies. Furthermore, also presented were the temperaturecurves recorded by the four thermocouples. Analyses of the obtained results enabled the assessment ofthe extinguishing effectiveness of the selected sprinklers and their impact on the combustion process ofselected materials, and thus on the development and spread of fire hazards such as smoke and thermalimpact. Based on the analysis, several conclusions have been formulated. It was found that bothsprinklers used did not provide complete control of smoke spread, and that the Grinnell sprinklers weremore effective in reducing temperature and overall heat release than the Viking sprinklers. Comparingthe total heat released after 60 seconds, the Grinnell sprinklers were found to be approximately 40%more efficient than the Viking sprinklers. This is further confirmed by the fact that the maximumtemperature recorded by thermocouple No. 1 was approximately 120C lower during polyurethanecombustion and approximately 150C lower during pine wood combustion for the Grinnell sprinklers.This results from their faster activation due to their lower temperature threshold (57C for the Grinnelland 68C for the Viking) and the activation of two sprinklers rather than one within the assumedsimulation window. Therefore, it is recommended to use the Grinnell model in situations requiringrapid and effective temperature control.

The article develops the concept of considering electric vehicles in the design of fire safety of cargodecks on a roll-on/roll-off ship (“ro-ro”) during an electric vehicle fire. To begin with, recent researchon fire ventilation in the cargo spaces of ro-ro seagoing ships was reviewed. The division of fireventilation systems used in underground garages and the division of ventilation systems on ro-roships in the cargo compartment are presented. In addition, the author’s concept of fire protection ona ro-ro ship by introducing additional fire protection in the form of a fire ventilation system asrequired in underground garages is presented. The article also outlines the current electric carfirefighting techniques.

Given the rising operational costs and an escalating scarcity of water resources, efficient watermanagement in commercial buildings has become critical for sustainable development. This articleinvestigates water losses resulting from leaks and evaluates the effectiveness of selected technicalsolutions aimed at reducing consumption, including solenoid valves, water-saving fixtures, and leakdetection systems. In buildings pursuing LEED certification, average annual water losses areestimated at approximately PLN 14,000 (average PLN 0.7/m2), while in conventional buildings theymay be up to 50% higher. The economic analysis indicates a short payback period for investments intechnologies that minimise losses and confirms that LEED certification contributes to loweringoperational costs and enhancing environmental performance. It is important to emphasise thatLEED certification is not, in itself, the direct cause of reduced operational costs, but rather a formalconfirmation of the implementation of a range of design and technological solutions that contributeto such reductions.

This article explores the significant role played by Poland in the EU-SENSE project, a landmarkinitiative under the Horizon 2020 framework, focusing on the advancement of Chemical, Biological,Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) security. Emphasising Poland’s leadership and strategiccoordination, the article examines the project’s impact on enhancing national CBRN capabilities,integrating new technologies into Poland’s security framework, and fostering internationalcollaboration. The study highlights the advancements in sensor technology, reduction of falsepositives in threat detection, and the development of a comprehensive response mechanism to CBRNthreats. Furthermore, it delves into the implications of these advancements for Poland’s role in theglobal CBRN security context, illustrating how the project not only improved Poland’s nationalsecurity capabilities but also established the country as a contributor to global CBRN defence efforts.The article concludes by discussing the future directions in CBRN security, emphasising the ongoingopportunities for technological innovation and strategic planning within Poland’s national securitysystem.

study presents the process of assessing the preferences of students when choosing a health resortas a travel destination, taking into account the six criteria they identified as influencing theirdecision. The pairwise comparison method was applied, using matrix calculus to determine theweights of each criterion, such as costs, tourist attractions, popularity of the health resort,treatment offer, accessibility and specific climatic conditions. The research indicates that for therespondents, the most important factor in their choice is the climate of the health resort, whichpromotes active tourism. Another important element is the availability of treatment services,which plays a significant role in evaluating the attractiveness of health resorts. The study highlightsthe need to consider sustainable development principles in the context of infrastructure,environmental protection and access to services. The analysis of the results points to the importanceof adjusting the health resort offer to the needs of young people who prefer active tourism and seekto benefit from natural health and environmental resources, while also ensuring care for theenvironment and local communities.

The objective of this article is to present the results of an analysis and evaluation of the operationalsecurity status in selected counties of the Mazovian Province (Węgrów, Sokołów, Ostrów andWyszków Counties) provided by units of the National Firefighting and Rescue System (NFRS)operating in these counties. The study was conducted in 2025 in the Mazovian Province. This studytests the hypothesis that the implementation of additional administrative and organizationalmeasures — particularly those involving the optimisation of NFRS unit locations and improvedresponse time coverage modelling — would significantly improve the territorial effectiveness ofoperational security in selected counties of the Mazovian Province. As part of the research, thepotential of NFRS entities operating in the counties was assessed, threats to the selected countieswere evaluated and relevant assumptions were adopted. The most vulnerable municipalities withinthe selected counties of the Mazovian Province were identified and simulations of operationalsecurity capabilities for these counties by NFRS units were carried out using Quantum GeographicInformation System (QGIS) software. The research hypothesis was validated by results of theconducted evaluation.

Crisis management is a key element in the functioning of organizations and society in case ofunpredictable threats. Its primary premise is to protect life, health and property through effectiveplanning, rapid response and minimising the negative effects of crises. Efficient emergency operationsnot only safeguard human lives and material assets but also ensure the continuity of essential servicesand facilitate recovery following emergency events.The article presents the results of an analysis ofcivil-military interaction in crisis management using the example of the 2024 floods in Lower Silesia.Proper crisis management has a major impact on the perception of state and local administrations,improving public trust and maintaining operational stability even under the most difficult conditions.The study emphasises the importance of synergy between civilian institutions and military structuresin the face of flood risk. With the increasing number of natural disasters, emergencies and terroristthreats, effective coordination of activities is becoming crucial. Conducting participant observation,the author examined civil-military interaction in emergency management, focusing on its role inimproving the effectiveness of rescue operations and civil protection.The research process used a qualitative methodology, including a case study of Flood 2024, interviewswith key stakeholders and observation of activities during flood. The results indicate the importanceof joint procedures, training and communication systems that enable efficient exchange ofinformation. The author’s direct involvement in flood control operations enabled the collection ofvaluable empirical data and facilitated detailed observation of the interactions between localgovernmental bodies and military forces. The collected data gave the analysis a practical dimensionand allowed the insightful identification of problems and opportunities to improve interaction inemergency situations. The analysis took into account practical problems arising from the lack ofeffective coordination and systemic barriers that impede smooth operation in emergency situations.Particular emphasis was placed on integrating communication systems, standardizing procedures,and conducting joint exercises to improve the effectiveness of cooperation.