Search for Poland’s Best Volunteer Firefighters

18 May 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Dziennik Wschodni launches Floriany 2026 to honour volunteer firefighters and fund equipment. Nominate OSP units, individual ‘druhs’ and youth teams.

Regional daily Dziennik Wschodni has launched the annual Floriany 2026 contest to celebrate Poland’s volunteer firefighters and units. The poll invites readers to nominate outstanding OSP brigades, individual druhrs and youth teams, and it aims to support local rescue capacity.

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About Floriany 2026 voting categories

The contest accepts votes in three categories. They include Unit of the Year, Volunteer Firefighter (Druh) of the Year, and Youth Firefighting Team of the Year. Moreover, the winners receive cash prizes earmarked for equipment purchases. Consequently, the awards strengthen local firefighting capability.

Why this matters for communities and expats

Volunteer firefighters form the backbone of Poland’s rural emergency response. In many towns, the Ochotnicza Straż Pożarna (OSP) responds first to fires, floods and accidents. Therefore, supporting them improves response times. However, volunteers usually work other jobs and train in their spare time. In addition, prize money helps pay for protective gear, pumps and rescue tools.

How to nominate, prizes and deadline

Readers can nominate candidates via an online form. Nominations must go to promocja@dziennikwschodnie.pl before 31 May at 23:59. Moreover, the total prize pool equals 18,000 zł. Consequently, organisers split funds across categories with 3,000 zł for first place, 2,000 zł for second, and 1,000 zł for third. In the last edition readers cast over 123,000 votes. Therefore, expect strong local promotion and social media campaigns this year.

Past winners and local impact

Last year OSP Sławacinek Stary won Unit of the Year. Furthermore, Jarosław Maj earned the Druh of the Year title. In addition, MDP Bełżyce won the youth category. These honours raised profiles and helped units secure municipal funding. Moreover, local fundraising and grants often follow public recognition.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: Volunteer firefighting in Poland mixes civic duty with local pride. OSP stands for Ochotnicza Straż Pożarna, the volunteer fire brigade. MDP means Młodzieżowa Drużyna Pożarnicza, a youth firefighting team. Many volunteers keep regular jobs, and they train outside work hours. For expats, note some practical terms. ZUS means the social insurance institution that handles pensions and contributions. NFZ is the national health fund that covers public healthcare. PESEL is your national ID number used for official records. A mandat means a fine issued for minor legal breaches. Therefore, if you intend to volunteer, check local rules about foreign volunteers, health insurance and required ID. In addition, ask the local municipality about training and liability coverage.

Patronage and local ties matter. Last year the competition attracted regional officials and emergency service leaders as patrons. Consequently, winners often receive invitations to regional events. Moreover, the publicity helps recruit new volunteers and boosts local safety awareness.

To enter, follow the newspaper’s form and email instructions. Therefore, nominate your local unit or an outstanding firefighter before the deadline. In addition, encourage friends to vote to increase the chance of winning equipment grants.

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