Calling

Volunteer fire Brigade (OSP) is the biggest social movement based on volunteers in Poland. I begun in sixties of nineteenth century counts aproximately 700 000 firefighters. About 240 000 of them take part in action regularly. This is enormous human resources.
The Calling project concentrate about their daily routins around fire-house and many other aspects of being a part of volunteer fire-fighters family.
The reason why people become fire-fighters might be different- some of them love adrenaline, others want to be helpful and fill their calling. Other wants to fulfill family tradition. Different age, different gender, different occupation. Ready to help. They leave behind daily routines because someone’s need help. Fire-houses are lokated mostly in villige areas and small towns. They meet there not only just before rescue action but also for just hang out together. They spend free time away from their own families and work in fire-house to keep equipment in good condition and practise their skills. They orginize many courses to raise their knowladge about helping people in many different situations. Nowadays fire-figthers take part not only during fires but also flood, car accidents, searching missing people and other random events. In the world of very busy people the still find time to help. Often they spend private money to develope themeselves because they want to be a better and better.
They invite young people to be a part of this big family and create Youth Firefigter’s Teams. They teach them about rules during helping and moreover being sensitive to weaker people’s voice. They orginize many compatitions where they can poses new knowladge and practise team work. They have to be very patient and self-motivated because in some cases it takes many years before they finished 18 years old and become fire-fighters allowed to take part in actions.
They not only thinking about future but also remember about past and take care about national and religious tradition. In many places, daily life is concentrate around fire- house where people hang out together, join many different course and take part in cultural events.

 

When I am called to duty, God,
wherever flames may rage,
give me strength to save a life,
whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child
before it is too late,
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert,
and hear the weakest shout,
quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling,
to give the best in me,
to guard my friend and neighbor,
and protect his property.

And if according to Your will
I must answer death’s call,
bless with your protecting hand,
my family one and all.