The fair began with an official opening attended by representatives of the key institutions within the national security system. Among the speakers were representatives of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, the Ministry of National Defence, the Greater Poland Voivodeship Office, the authorities of Poznań, and the General Headquarters of the State Fire Service. In their speeches, all of them emphasized the great importance of cooperation between the administration, emergency services, and the private sector in building an effective and resilient system for the protection of the population and civil defense.
Photos: Piotr Piosik
After the official part, the opening panel of the PROTEGA Congress took place, featuring members of the Honorary Committee and invited guests. The experts discussed the challenges facing the Civil Protection and Civil Defence system in the context of the new act.
Debates and Panels – Practice, Experience, and Threat Analysis
The substantive programme of the PROTEGA Congress, which accompanied the fair, was divided into two parallel areas: the Congress Stage and the Workshop Stage. The former focused on topics related to responding to natural and man-made threats, preparing protective infrastructure, and building social resilience.
Experts discussed, among other things:
- responding to crisis situations such as floods, power outages, and failures of critical infrastructure,
- lessons learned from rescue operations in Ukraine in the field of protective construction,
- CBRN threats and standards for designing and equipping shelters and hideouts,
- preparing citizens and the administration to function under crisis conditions.
On the Workshop Stage, participants took part in practical exercises covering first aid, responding to drone attacks, mass-casualty incidents, and scenarios involving vehicle-ramming. The workshops were led by practitioners from rescue services, uniformed services, and crisis-management experts.
Exhibitors and Exhibition – Technologies for Rescue, Infrastructure, and Communications
An important element of the PROTEGA Fair was the extensive exhibition, where exhibitors presented a comprehensive range of technologies for services, public administration, and organisations operating in the field of safety. Participants were able to explore innovative solutions in the areas of:
Rescue and civil protection – rescue and medical equipment, specialist clothing, personal protective equipment, and gear for search-and-rescue units.
Protective infrastructure – shelters and hideouts, flood-protection solutions, water tanks, ventilation systems, and shelter equipment.
Technology and communications – critical communication systems, drones, threat-detection systems, mobile energy sources, and operational field lighting.
Crisis logistics – long-term food supplies, evacuation kits, container modules.
The diversity of the presented technologies demonstrated how interdisciplinary and complex the modern system of civil protection and civil defense has become.
Oxford-Style Debate – Youth Discussing Safety Education
As part of the PROTEGA Fair, the First Oxford-Style Debate for Firefighting-Oriented Uniformed Classes was held, competing for the rotating trophy of the Greater Poland Provincial Commander of the State Fire Service. The discussion brought together students from:
- Edukacja Lubasz – I.J. Paderewski Schools (Proposition)
- KEN Mechanical Schools Complex in Poznań (Opposition)
The debate topic was: A safety guide in brochure form – a relic of the past or a cross-generational educational tool?
After a balanced and substantive exchange of arguments, the team from Lubasz emerged victorious. The competition had significant educational value – it showed that young people are already actively engaging in the discussion about the future of civil protection.
The First Edition That Opens a New Chapter
The strong interest shown by state institutions, local governments, emergency services, and the industry confirmed the need to create a space that brings together all communities responsible for safety. In the face of a changing geopolitical situation and increasing natural threats, events such as PROTEGA play an important role in strengthening the country’s resilience.
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