Lublin Firefighters Podium at Warsaw Stair Challenge

13 September 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Lublin firefighters reached the podium in a gruelling firefighters stair climb at Warsaw’s Palace of Culture and Science on 12 September.

On 12 September firefighters from Lublin Voivodeship reached the podium after a gruelling firefighters stair climb at the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw. The event tested strength, speed and endurance as competitors climbed roughly 800 steps to the 30th floor in full kit.

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firefighters stair climb at the Palace of Culture and Science

The VIII Mistrzostwa Polski Strażaków w Biegu po Schodach “WIEŻOWIEC 2026” gathered 474 starters. In total, 455 competitors finished the race. Participants wore full protective clothing, helmets, boots and breathing apparatus with mask and cylinder. Each extra kilo slowed a climb and made oxygen management critical.

Jolanta Chibowska from Lublin finished third among women. She represented KP PSP in Świdnik and stopped the clock at 7 minutes 49.94 seconds. Only Małgorzata Kołodziej (7:35.53) and Joanna Stefańska (7:40.01) posted faster times. Chibowska’s podium is one of the strongest Lubelskie results this year.

Team result and race format

The regional headquarters, KW PSP in Lublin, also won third place in the mixed teams category. The mixed duo was Jolanta Chibowska and Michał Badach. Their official time read 7 minutes 50.09 seconds. Organisers measured team results by the moment the second team member crossed the finish line. The event featured separate classes for men, women and mixed teams and included an elite group for top pairs from the previous edition.

Why the result matters beyond sport

The contest matters because it simulates the physical strain firefighters face on the job. Climbing hundreds of steps in breathing apparatus mirrors real rescue scenarios in tall buildings. Strong results show units prioritise fitness, teamwork and operational readiness. For local services, podium finishes boost morale and public trust in the unit.

About three dozen entrants came from Lubelskie units. Names on the start list included JRG Bełżyce, KM PSP in Biała Podlaska, OSP Izbica, WSP Dęblin Lotnisko, KP PSP in Świdnik, KP PSP in Włodawa and KP PSP in Radzyń Podlaski. Volunteer fire brigades (OSP) and other local teams also travelled to Warsaw for the championships.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: In Poland the professional State Fire Service is often abbreviated PSP and local volunteer brigades use the initials OSP. Events like this are public and family friendly. If you are an expat wanting to attend a local competition, you do not need special documents. For practical matters in Poland, note that official systems such as ZUS (social insurance) and NFZ (public healthcare) are separate from emergency services. Keep your PESEL number or residency documents handy for local administrative tasks, but you will not need them to watch such events.

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