Volunteer Fire Department in Piętki-Gręzki has acquired a new rescue and firefighting vehicle

On 9^th August 2025, the Volunteer Fire Department in Piętki-Gręzki (Podlaskie) received a modern heavy rescue and firefighting vehicle purchased as part of the PL-UA project “Joint actions to improve cooperation in preventing natural disasters and climate threats in the cross-border area of Poland and Ukraine” (acronym FirePrev).

The event was attended by representatives of the Volunteer Fire Department from the commune and local authorities, as well as residents.

“Two years ago, no one expected that such a vehicle could appear in this unit. That’s when we began our efforts to obtain funding under the Interreg NEXT Poland – Ukraine 2021-2027 Programme (…). Who would have thought that such a small municipality and modest unit could obtain funding under such a Programme? To paraphrase a classic saying, one could say: ‘What’s the harm in dreaming?’. We dreamed, and we really succeeded,” said Piotr Uszyński, Mayor of Klukowo Commune.

The project is being implemented by three local government units from Poland and Ukraine and the State Fire and Rescue Unit of the Main Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Volyn Oblast. Its main objective is to strengthen cooperation between rescue services operating on the Polish-Ukrainian border in order to respond more effectively to emerging threats related to forest fires and to deal with natural disasters such as floods and storms. Polish partners will purchase seven rescue and firefighting vehicles (light, medium and heavy), while Ukrainian partners will purchase two firefighting tankers and motor pumps, 26 sets of protective clothing, and a set of equipment for firefighters. As part of the project, the partners have also planned two training courses, in which 160 rescuers from both sides of the border are expected to participate. There will also be two conferences, picnics for residents promoting the project and its results, as well as an educational campaign entitled “For a clean environment”. The total value of the project is € 2,742,883.89, including € 2,468,595.50 in funding from the Programme.

You can find out more about the FirePrev project HERE.

Anyone interested in seeing this professional vehicle purchased within the project will have an excellent opportunity to do so on 31^st August this year. On that day, between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., a family picnic will be held in the square behind the Klukowo Commune Office, during which the vehicle will be presented. In addition to viewing the vehicle, participants will be able to take part in a first aid demonstration and learn more about the project itself at the promotional stand. The event will be accompanied by a festival to bid farewell to summer, full of attractions – the agenda includes concerts, tastings and numerous activities and games for children.