20th anniversary of the Hasík CZ programme
Preventive educational programme named "Hasík CZ - Raising children in fire protection and population protection" this year celebrates twenty years of its existence in the country. Its authors are Bohdan Mikulka and Štěpán Mikulka, members of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Moravian-Silesian Region, who still serves in the Bruntál station. From the beginning the programme was supported also by Jiří Horáček, CFO, and Miroslav Piňos, psychologist. The Hasík CZ programme is applied mainly in schools, where children are taught in playful way on basic information on fire prevention and public protection. p. 2

Firefighters’ Competition in First Aid
On 6th and 7th October 2016 the first year of the Firefighters’ Competition in First Aid was held in the premises of the Brno Fire School. The aim of the competition was to check how the set system of first aid works, what are current knowledge and skills of intervening teams, and to compare the functioning of the system of education in various regions. p. 13

Integrated Rescue System conference in Carlsbad
On 11th November 2016 the Integrated Rescue System conference was held in the Richmond hotel in Karlovy Vary. This 3rd annual conference of the IRS was focused on "Technology in the integrated rescue system", and organised by the FRS of the Karlovy Vary Region and the Emergency Medical Service of the Karlovy Vary Region. p. 16

Development cooperation with Moldova Fire & Rescue Service
In 2015 we started with implementation of the international development cooperation project with the Office for Civil Defence and Emergencies of Moldova (OCDEM). The project is implemented on the basis of long-term cooperation of FRS CR and OCDEM, and financed by the Czech Development Agency. p. 18

Coordination of humanitarian assistance in South Moravian Region
Based on experience from resolved crisis situations the Fire & Rescue Service of the South Moravian Region identified the needs to systematically address the issue of coordination of humanitarian assistance in the South Moravian Region. To cooperate in solving this issue, they invited also the Czech Red Cross, Caritas Brno and the South Moravian Region Authority. p. 22

Prague Security Conference
On 4th November 2016 the National Technical Library in Prague hosted the 12th Prague Security Conference, under the presidency of Slovakia in the European Council. The conference was named “Science - Research - Innovation - Education - the keys to prosperity and security of the EU, Czechia and Slovakia”. p. 26

National Quality Award of the Czech Republic for the Institute of Population Protection
The Population Protection Institute in Lázně Bohdaneč became the 2016 winner of the National Quality Award of the Czech Republic, in one of the most prestigious programs. Gala awards ceremony was held on 22nd November 2016 in the Prague Castle, where the award was handed by Mgr. Bohuslav Sobotka, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, and RNDr. Josef Postránecký, MPA, Deputy Minister of Interior, to Col. Eng. Mgr. Rostislav Richter, Director of the Institute, and Col. Eng. Jarmil Valášek, Ph.D., MBA, Head of Research and Education Division. The National Quality Award of the Czech Republic is the highest distinction of quality in the Czech Republic, and represents the most advanced and sophisticated system of external evaluation of organizations of business and public sector. p. 33

Christmas meeting of the Foundation
The Police Officers and Firefighters Foundation - Mutual Assistance in Distress currently cares for 55 children from 32 families of police officers and firefighters who died while on duty, and for 44 severely disabled former police officers and firefighters who suffered health damage in performance of official duties. Christmas meeting of the Foundation was launched on 29th November 2016 by a pious act at the monument to fallen policemen and firefighters. p. 35

Film scenery in fire at Barrandov
On 26th August last year a fire of film sceneries for a foreign historical series from the Middle Ages occurred in the area of the Barrandov Studios in Prague. The intervention was complicated by presence of pressure vessels on site, radiant heat, and high density of toxic smoke. The extinguishing operation was supported from air by a helicopter of the Czech Police. p. 4

Helmet diving and emergency response
In the end of November last year, the Rescue Unit of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic in collaboration with diving instructors of the Olomouc FRS prepared the eight-day diving training for divers of FRS CR. The main goal was to gain new proficiency for the 3rd degree divers within two consecutive courses „Surface Support Technician" and "Surface Supplied Diving / Helmet diving." p.12

Tactical exercise on the Švandovo Theatre in Smíchov
Actors of the Švandovo Theatre in Smíchov observed smoke on the premises of the stage and the auditorium during the morning performance on 7th November 2016. They immediately informed the theatre’s fire watch, which announced the evacuation and reported a fire on the emergency line. In this case, it was a tactical exercise for 38 firefighters from five fire units of the Prague Fire & Rescue Service, the Prague Emergency Medical Service, and the Czech Police. p.16

Symposium on Protection against Biological and Chemical Warfare Agents
The 12th International Symposium of Protection against Biological and Chemical Warfare Agents was held last year in Stockholm. Main organizers were the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), Swedish Armed Forces and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. p. 18

New containers for emergency survival
This year the Administration of State Material Reserves purchased four kits of containers for emergency survival for use by the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic. The containers are designed for rapid and efficient intervention in case of emergencies, whose occurrence and extent can be difficult to predict. They are supposed to serve for short-term rapid effective and immediate assistance to the population. p. 20

Events of 2016 vs. Protection of Population
This conference is traditionally held before Christmas in the Institute of Population Protection of FRS CR in Lázně Bohdaneč. On 14th and 15th December 2016 it was a symposium of experts in various professions that somehow relate to protection of population. p. 26

Firefighters as a part of the ITEP Tourism Fair
Preventive-educational work is among the basic tasks of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic. Ways, how to reach specific target groups of population, lead across a diverse range of events organized by the FRS CR.  Firefighters are quite often asked also for cooperation in events organized by various organizations. p. 30

Professionalization of drivers of IRS CR
This three-year project (2016 - 2018) covers special courses of safe driving joined with solving some demanding driving situations for approximately 25,000 members of  the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic and the Czech Police. The project was established on the basis of an agreement between the Ministry of Interior and the Czech Insurers' Bureau, and is financed from the Loss Prevention Fund of CIB. Total costs are planned at nearly 100 million CZK (i.e. 3.7 million EUR). p. 35

Fire of a galvanizing line
On 27th October 2016 morning a fire occurred in a hall with galvanising line of the Tesla Karlín company in Prague. The intervention demanded considerable efforts of all intervening forces, especially firefighters from 16 fire units. Damage caused by fire ultimately reached tens of millions of Czech crowns, however, the intervention managed to prevent the spread to other objects, and thus protect the property of considerable value. P. 4

Novelty in equipment of post-traumatic care team
At the beginning of this year firefighters of the Zlín region FRS got a new and somewhat unique tool – an emergency backpack for members of post-traumatic care team. P. 10

Seminar on special fire supervision
First seminar for authorities, which will carry out special fire supervision from 1st August 2017, was held on 31st January 2017 in the building of MI, General Directorate of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic. The participants of this seminar came from all over the country. P. 11

New fire equipment in in Brno Fire School
In the end of 2016 the Brno Fire School of FRS CR modernized its fleet. The teachers-instructors welcomed the new firefighting equipment after nine years. It is the AZ 30 automotive ladder on IVECO chassis with MAGIRUS bodywork. P. 12

Disaster prevention is more effective than liquidation
The cycle of seminars Disaster prevention - protecting people and the environment is organised by the Czech National Committee for Disaster Reduction, in cooperation with the Czech Association for Environmental Management. In December last year a workshop entitled Disaster risks and possibilities of reduction was held in the Town Hall of Prague 9. P. 22

Population protection from hazardous substances
The 16th International Conference on Population Protection - Hazardous substances 2017 was held in the auditorium of the VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava on 1st and 2nd February 2017. Lections mentioned also climate changes and environmental safety in connection with the protection of population. P. 26

Training for specialists from countries of the East African Community
In November 2016 a training of chemical specialists from the East African Community (EAC) took place in the Ugandan Regional Deployment Capability Centre (URDCC) in Jinja, Uganda. Practical training for participants from the states of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda was held by experts from the Institute of Population Protection of FRS CR. The event was held under the auspices of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which won the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. P. 28

2016 Competition Day of IRS
Zero year of the motion and knowledge contest for students of eighth grade schools of the Zlín Region in safety topics was held on 11th October 2016 in the Amfík Bukovina premises in Popovice near Uherské Hradiště. P. 31

Solemn tribute for IRS bodies
For eight years the ice-hockey players of the Sparta Praha HC regularly pay homage to bodies of the Integrated Rescue System (IRS). This January it was in two home games with Třinec and Olomouc. In both matches Sparta players wore special dresses reminiscent of the uniforms of emergency medical services, and played with special pucks, which all together were given to the auction. The proceeds were then forwarded to the account pf the Police Officers and Firefighters Foundation - Mutual Assistance in Distress and the Military Solidarity Fund. P. 33

Result of the collection surprised organizers
Plush toys from hands of firefighters and police officers will make children happy, not only in sites of emergencies.  A unique fundraising campaign of the Zlín professional firefighters succeeded thanks to social networks. P. 2.

Cooperation in a bus accident with children
On 23rd September 2016 a five-day training for future post-traumatic care team members from several regional FRS was nearly finished.  By the time the training was over, the operation centre called for psychological assistance approximately 1.5 kilometres away. The fictitious accident scenario model consists of a bus full of children hit a personal car. The incident commander asked for a psychologist on site. P. 4

Firefighters rescued on ice and below
On Thursday 19th January 2017 in the afternoon the operational centre of the South Moravia Region FRS sent fire units to rescue a drowning skater on the Vranov dam.  At the arrival of firefighters the man was already under water. Arriving air rescuers from South Moravia Region FRS made landing from the deck of the helicopter directly to the water.  Although they succeeded in pulling out the drowning from a four meters depth, despite all the commitment to save the man failed. P. 10

"Fall asleep safely"
The Pilsen Region FRS focuses its preventive educational activities on large groups, which include both, school children and the general public. Great emphasis is placed on education of seniors and teachers. But, some target groups are not so numerous in society, like handicapped people, foreigners, or even homeless. P. 13

BLACKOUT JMK 2015 Exercise
On 26th March 2015 a regional tactical exercise titled BLACKOUT JMK 2015 was held in the Southern Moravian Region and organized by the South Moravian Regional Authority with great participation of the South Moravian Region FRS.  The aim of the exercise was to practice activities of crisis management, Integrated Rescue System of the South Moravian Region, and other entities in a specific crisis situation - long power outage large scale. P. 14

New experimental and training laboratory for investigating causes of fire
On 7th March 2017 there was an official opening of a new experimental and training laboratory for investigating the causes of fires in the Population Protection Institute premises in Lázně Bohdaneč, Eastern Bohemia.  The ceremonial event was launched by Col. Rostislav Richter, Director of the Population Protection Institute, and representatives of MI-DG FRS CR headed by Major General Drahoslav Ryba,  Director General of FRS CR. P. 24

Invitation to St Florian exhibition
The exhibition entitled In sign of St  Florian - Firefighters and fire equipment in stamp design will be held in the Postal Museum in Prague from 22nd March to 11th June 2017. Visitors can view art designs of stamps with the theme of firefighting, accompanied by several interesting objects that will attract not only adults but also children.  P. 33

New exhibits in the Exposition of Fire Protection of FRS CR in Zbiroh
The seventh visitor season starts on 1st May 2017 in the Exposition of Fire Protection of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic in Zbiroh. Over the winter, when the exhibition is closed to the public, there were diligently work. Not only indoors were graced, but thanks to enthusiastic donors some valuable exhibits were added to the museum. P. 31

Director General of FRS CR visited FRS of the Central Bohemian Region
In the days of 21st and 22nd March 2017 Major General Drahoslav Ryba,  Director General of FRS CR, officially visited the Fire & Rescue Service of the Central Bohemian Region. At first, the CEO met with leaders of the FRS of the Central Bohemian Region, then he continued with visits of several fire stations. p. 5

Summary of methodological regulations for operation of fire units
The Czech Fire Chief Officers Association (ČAHD) in cooperation with the Directorate-General of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic has again set up the Summary of Methodological Regulations for the Operation of Fire Units as part of the training. This was updated on CD-ROM in December 2016 as the 13th Edition. p. 11

Critical assessment of new risk analysis methodology and its application in the Liberec Region
During 2016 the "Threat Analysis" task force of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic (FRS CR) completed and presented the methodology of the risk assessment process at state, regional, and municipalities with extended competence levels. The main objective was to unify the approach to hazard identification, and to assess possible impacts across the Czech Republic. p. 16

How to customize and enhance resilience
The Climate Adaptation Seminar in the Czech Republic was organized by the Environmental Center of the Charles University under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment on 9th February 2017 in the Balling Hall of the National Technical Library in Prague-Dejvice. The main topic of the meeting was assessment and acceptability of measures to reduce the impacts of floods and droughts. p.18

20 years of Red Rooster Conference
In  the days of 28th and 29th March 2017, the 20th  Fire Protection International Conference, called Červený Kohout (means Red Rooster), took place in the conference rooms of the Clarion Congress Hotel in České Budějovice, South Bohemia. The patronage of this jubilee year was traditionally provided by brig. gen. Miloš Svoboda, the Deputy General Director of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic. p. 22

Video project
The Fire & Rescue Service of the Central Bohemian Region has been running a two-year preventive video project called "OČMU" - Protecting a person against common risks and emergencies”. The project is aimed to promote quality education at schools, to work together to unify pupils' knowledge, and to facilitate the orientation of teachers in the given field. The aim of the course is to teach pupils to know how to properly manage these situations, even after years. Secondarily the project represents activities of the bodies of the Integrated Rescue System in the Czech Republic. p. 26

Litoměřice 2017 Firefighting Celebrations
The 7th Firefighting Celebrations will be held on 9th and 10th June 2017 in Litoměřice, Northern Bohemia. This nationwide firefighting event, with the most extensive exhibition of firefighting equipment including old historical machines, and also the state-of-the-art firefighting technology available to the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic, is the largest and most important event of its kind in the Czech Republic. p. 30

Firefighter of the Year 2016 and Fire Sportsman of the Year 2016
On 12th April 2017, the 8th year of the Firefighter of the Year and the FRS CR Sportsman 2016 took place in the Congress Hall of the Top Hotel Prague. The titles and awards were given to the winners of survey by Mr. Jiří Zmatlík, Deputy Minister of the Interior for the Department of Economics, Strategies and European Funds together with Major General Drahoslav Ryba, General Director of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic. p. 32

Practical knowledge from tests of combustion and extinguishing of ignited diesel fuel in the open area
Repeated tests with diesel fuel in an open pit of an open area brought valuable practical insights. For foam extinguishing, different types of nozzles were used. Physical burning values were measured during the tests. For a single ignition there were different amounts of diesel fuel in the pit, from 3,000 to 6,000 liters. Attachment

Landslide of the slope claimed two victims
On 30th March 2017 the Regional Operational and Information Center (KOPIS) of the Central Bohemian FRS was reported the involvement of two persons in carrying out construction work on a farm in Přestavlky near Čerčany. the Benešov district. The  KOPIS activated the Operational and Information Center of the Ministry of Interior-the General Directorate of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic, and subsequently KOPIS of the Prague FRS. Due to coordinated procedure of these centers sources foreseen for this type of intervention were activated and called in place. P. 6

Equipment for permanent reduction of oxygen content
Since the beginning of the last century, the inert atmosphere has proved to be an appropriate way of preserving written documents and films. Gradually it began to be used as part of the production technologies in metallurgy in the steel industry, welding, in the electronics industry to grow germanium silicon crystals and, last but it not least, in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. P. 8

Training of fire investigators in the United States of America
From 13th   to 17th March 2017, a training course for fire investigators was organized by the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) in Richmond University in Kentucky. Three Czech fire investigators were involved. P. 12

Trenčín again with fire-fighting sirens
At the Expo Center in Trenčín, Slovakia, the 13th FirEco International exhibition of fire, rescue and security equipment took place in the days of 4th to 6th May 2017. The event was full of spirit of celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Fire and Rescue Service of the Slovak Republic. P. 17

New test procedures
The Department of Research and Development of the Technical Institute of Fire Protection in Prague (TÚPO), in the framework of solution of its research projects, in recent years introduced new testing procedures necessary, among others, for assessment and certification of products used within the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic. An important group of products subject to mandatory assessment are foaming agents, to which TÚPO focused in solving the research project "Research of Effectiveness of Selected Extinguishers. P. 20

Ultra-trace detection of explosives in IRS equipment
New detectors capable of capturing ultra-trace quantities of explosives within a few seconds, and not only the explosives, but also those who came into contact with them, and places where they were stored. These detectors are now include in the Institute of Population Protection and some other specialized bodies of the Integrated Rescue System. This technology opens up new possibilities in fight against terrorism, and enables more effective protection of population and those involved in emergencies. P. 23

25 years of Integrated Rescue System (IRS)
"Cooperation of IRS in Emergencies and Disasters - Exercise vs. Reality" was the name of the international conference held on 1st March 2017 in the Congress Hall of the Myslivna Hotel in Brno. The event was organized by the Coordination Centre of the Emergency Medicine of the Brno with the Ministry of Interior-the General Directorate of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic as a guarantor. P. 24

Health Risk Analysis for the City of Prague
On the basis of inspection carried out by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic (MH) at the Department of Administrative Activities in Health and Social Welfare of the Prague City Hall, the Ministry requested to prepare a health risk analysis for the territory of the City of Prague. The actual analysis was made in accordance with the MH's mandate, i.e. the worst possible consequences of the individual extraordinary events were always assumed. P. 28

Gold for saving life
Also this year, on 20th April, Mr. Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic, handed over the Golden Rescue Cross to extraordinary and brave people, and also to one dog, who deserved for saving lives. The Rescue Report journal project aims to promote professional rescue, but appreciates every person who does not hesitate and sacrifice to help others in a difficult situation.P. 32

Extinguishing tests for edible fats and oils
The Class F fires, i.e. fires of edible kitchen oils and fats, are specific to their high temperature of combustion.  Extinguishing with water will cause it to evaporate instantly, causing the burning oil to be poured out of the container.  This phenomenon is limited when using fine water mist.  P. 4

New Chemical Service Regulation of the FRS CR
The Chemical Service Regulation of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic, valid since 1st February 2017, were issued by the Direction of DG FRS CR No. 6 /2017 on 31st January 2017. This new Code replaced a similar regulation, which was valid for more than ten years.  The Chemical Service Regulation governs the uniform performance of chemical services, establishes basic tasks in maintaining the serviceability of the chemical services equipment and defines their uniform use.  The Code is applied to all bodies of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic; founders of other fire units ensure the tasks of the chemical services in accordance with the Services Regulations. P. 10

How to train an aviation professional or where to get pilots and flight attendants
The Czech Aviation Training Centre (CATC) is based in the B Hangar at the Prague Airport in Prague-Ruzyne.  You can easily see the Terminal 3 area from windows of the administrative part of the building, and watch which machines literally park under the windows. However, inside the building other facilities park - flight simulators and flight crew training simulators. P. 12

PYROS 2017 / Pyromeeting 2017
From 31st May to 3rd June 2017, after two years, the Safety Fairs took place again in the Brno Exhibition Centre.  PYROS 2017, the 18th International Fair of Fire Equipment and Services, IDET 2017, the 14th International Fair of Defence and Security Technology, and ISET 2017, the 9th International Fair of Security Technology and Services, offered a comprehensive range of the latest products and services for safety and rescue sector.  The PYROS 2017 was accompanied by the Pyromeeting 2017 International Conference, focused on the 25th anniversary of IRS (Integrated Rescue System). P. 14

Optimizing education on security issues
The Concept of Population Protection up to 2020, with a view to 2030, obliged the selected central administrative authorities to analyse current system of education of the population, and to propose system changes and measures to remedy the identified deficiencies, and to legalize them.  This task was further specified in the subsequent the Report on the State of Population Protection in the Czech Republic, which in its Task 19a commissioned to map the state of education in the population protection in schools, and to propose an optimal solution for improvement of this process by 2020. P. 17

Security in Central Europe
On 30th March 2017, the 13th Brno Political Symposium was held at the Faculty of Social Studies of the Masaryk University in Brno.  The expert meeting was organized by the International Institute of Political Science of the Masaryk University in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in the Czech Republic.  The accompanying program was a film projection about the RAF terrorist group. P. 18

Twenty years of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
On 19th April 2017, the State Office for Nuclear Safety, the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Institute of International Relations in cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) held the conference entitled " Chemical Weapons Convention yesterday, today and tomorrow ... ? " in the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Loretta Square in Prague. The main topics of the conference were origin and scope of the CWC, activities of the OPCW, the frame of chemical weapons in the world, their destruction and the world after the destruction of chemical weapons, possibilities of misuse of chemicals in theory and practice, how the CWC reflected to industrial production, and work of other state administration bodies in relation to the CWC. P. 22

Petr Moleš became the European champion at TFA (Toughest Firefighter Alive)
Representation of the Czech FRS for the ninth consecutive time again on medals!  This time in another: Europe TFA was ruled by  Lukáš Novák every year since 2008 to 2016, this time Petr Moleš won of the gold medal and the tournament cup.  At the championship in Monchengladbach, Germany, he won with time of 5.54 minutes, and beated other 150 competitors.  The race was divided into four sections, similarly to the Czech Cup in the TFA disciplines. P. 29

Tomáš is a strong personality
Tomáš Malyjurek suffered a serious injury during a traffic accident, while in service at the Třinec Fire Station, Moravian-Silesian FRS.  Since then, he has been tied for life to a wheelchair that can only control with his chin.  Still, he did not blame the life, and with support of his parents, peer firefighters, members of the Foundation and doctors, he learns to deal with his difficult destiny. P. 30

Traditional meeting of firefighters in Litoměřice
The town of Litoměřice, North Bohemia, again hosted a national meeting of firefighters, which took place on 9th and 10th June this year, on the occasion of the Litoměřice 2017 Fire Festival P. 32

Extensive blaze of tires
On 10th May 2017 a fire in the Company in Bělčice, the Benešov district, was reported to the operation centre of the FRS of Central Bohemian Region.  Already during the way to the incident site, the intervention commander declared “II  Alarm Level” according to the fire alarm plan.  The smoke column was visible from long distance, even from Prague. P. 4

Firefighters broke a sweat in the Hell
In a unique building  named Peklo (means the Hell) in an entertainment centre  near Hlinsko, Eastern Bohemia, every movement requires high attention.  Firefighters had run a tactical exercise how to rescue people from this rugged underground environment. P. 6

Mine rescue brigades in the Lozorno Polygon
The joint exercise of mining rescuers from the Hodonín Main Mining Rescue Station, the Lobodice Mining Rescue Station, the Odolov Mining Rescue Station and the Main Mining Rescue Station of Malacky, Slovakia, was held in a training polygon in Lozorno, Slovakia, on 15th June 2017. The exercise was attended by observers - representatives of the RWE distribution company, Moravské naftové doly company, the Slovak Mining Rescue Service, representatives from the Ministry of Interior - General Directorate of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic, and certain regional FRSs, and many other representatives of Czech and Slovak organizations. P. 7

Chemical Service News III, New Chemical Service Guidelines
In the previous issue, we introduced the basic internal regulation of chemical service, which is The Chemical Service Regulation of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic.  In 2016, however, three more directives of the General Director of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic, concerning the chemical service, were issued: for example, the Directive of the DG of FRS CR No. 34/2016, on handling with hazardous chemicals and chemical mixtures. P. 8

Phenomenon of suicide and principles of intervention
In the days of 9th and 10th May 2017 the Tišnov educational facility hosted a training targeted on phenomenon of suicide and principles of intervention with people with suicidal intentions. Two teams of post-traumatic care of the South Bohemian FRS and the Vysočina FRS attended the training. P. 10

Fighting against drought and floods
On 5th June 2017 the State Environmental Fund of the Czech Republic organised a seminar on fighting droughts and floods  in the City Hall of the City of Prague.  The expert seminar presented suitable solutions to prevent drought, floods, how to provide sufficient drinking water in municipalities, and what benefits the wastewater treatment of domestic treatment plants brings to. P. 20

Activity and tasks of the reception centre of Temelín Nuclear Power Plant
The Temelín Nuclear Power Plant - one of two functioning nuclear power plants in the Czech Republic - is located in the South Bohemian Region.  For the population living around the power plant, in the so-called emergency planning zone, protective measures in case of emergency / a radiation accident are planned. P. 22

Courses of population protection techniques
For a great deal of interest, a redevelopment course called "Population Protection Technician" was repeated in 2017, attended by designated members, population protection technicians, or commanders of voluntary fire units (VFU) of municipalities. This vocational training is carried out in accordance with the Directive of the DG of FRS CR No. 3/2014, on the training and professional competence of members of VFU of municipalities and VFU of companies. P. 25

Sport was his life
During one of the exercises - the evacuation of people from the fourth floor of the training tower, the rope anchor failed to secure - and Václav Dvořák woke up in the hospital. For a man who worked as a firefighter of chemical service, but nearly fifteen years as a climber - instructor in rescuing people from heights and depths, for a real sportsman, it was an awful waking up.  Still, he managed to get up and today he walks through his life, though with French sticks. P. 27

Separation chemistry and analysis of toxic substances
Every second year the Population Protection Institute organises a specialized conference on toxic chemistry. The International Conference on Separation Chemistry and Analysis of Toxic Substances was held in the days of 5th and 6th June 2017 here in Lázně Bohdaneč, Eastern Bohemia. P. 35

Interactive classroom
Preventive upbringing has not long been just about distributing firefighters´ coloring-books and crayons. Modern times need to bring the young generation closer to the teaching aids that children can reach and enjoy. And what's more interesting to today's youth than anything connected with computers, mobile phones, and game apps? We will not stop this current trend, and therefore need to be used appropriately to make the child entertained and educated. p. 2

Localization of criminalistics outbreak
This article details some theoretical knowledge of the measurement method of the depth of calcination, and also some experience gained from its practical implementation, when searching for a fire deposit. p. 4

Rescuing people from aircraft is first
At present, the Fire Department of the Letiště Praha a. s. (Prague Airport, Ltd.), can be compared with other European colleagues. Together with the high growth in traffic and the number of passengers that the Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) has recorded in recent years, their Fire Department is being modernized. The last major investment of nearly fifty million CZK (i.e. nearly 2 million EUR) that the airport operator, the Letiště Praha a. s., spent this year, is an evidence. At the Fire Department station now you can see two completely new Rosenbauer Panther special vehicles prepared. p. 8

Grant for voluntary fire units of the Lesy České republiky Co.
The third round of the grant for voluntary fire units for intervention on forest fires in the Czech Republic was launched. Fire units, like VFU of the Lesy České republiky (Forests of the Czech Republic) Co., which submit their requests by the end of this September, and will be selected, can get up to 20,000 CZK for new equipment and technology. p. 15

Launch of eCall
In September of this year, the eCall system is launched - a pan-European automated emergency call system from the vehicle. This electronic security system has been developed to accelerate and refine the identification of the caller in major traffic accidents. p. 16

EVI-EVA 2017 Exercise
The purpose of this exercise of crisis management authorities was to verify the elimination of the deficiencies identified in the evaluation of the "ZONA 2015" exercise, which took place in the emergency planning zone of the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant, Southern Bohemia. At the same time, the objective was to verify the implementation of crisis measures of the region governor, associated with evacuation of population, and using the elaborated documentation to deal with crisis situations at the regional level and in the municipalities with extended competence. p. 23

Protection of civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference
Protection of civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference is one of the basic pillars of aviation security. Although some measures may involve interference with passengers' and employees' privacy, there is no doubt about the purpose of such steps. It has more than seventy years of experience with security, the introduction of technologies and procedures available to protect infrastructure or people, or the ability to predict the response of passengers in crisis situations. p. 25

Fire of flammable liquids bottler
On 29th May 2017 the Regional Operations and Information Centre of the Liberec FRS received an announcement on fire at the facility of the Severochema Liberec Company. The fire of first-class occurred in the flammable liquids bottling line, and quickly spread to the area of over-ground tanks of flammable liquids and to the adjoining building of the production hall with expedition. p. 4

Security of Metro is crucial
Public transportation in Prague, our largest city, conveys more than one million people a day. It is absolutely essential to ensure its flawless operation and safety. This area is in charge of the Fire Brigade of the Dopravní podnik hlavního města Prahy, a. s (Transport Company of Prague, joint-stock). In context of constantly evolving and growing transport infrastructure and increasing number of transported people, its staff have to learn new things and ensure safety in new metro, bus and tram stations. p. 10

Modernization of vehicle body and means of radiation/biological survey
The decision on technical evaluation of vehicles for chemical and radiation survey (TACHP, Technical Automobile CHemical in chemical and radiation Survey) came from permanent needs of development in detection and identification of hazardous substances, and from the decision to extend detection of B-agents and toxins. The Valorisation of the TACHP vehicles was financed by funds of the Administration of State Material Reserves. The up-dated vehicles were handed to service to response units of chemical laboratories of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic in December 2016. p. 18

Slapy 2017 Tactical Exercise of IRS bodies
A fire of a cruise ship with wounded passengers on board was the scenario of the tactical exercise of bodies of the Integrated Rescue System (IRS) on 18th May 2017. The Slapy 2017 exercise main objective was primarily to verify tactical procedures for similar intervention in the Slapy dam  location.  The exercise took place just close to the Military Spa and Recreation facility in Měřín, Central Bohemia. p. 24

Education of public servants
Education of public servants, i.e. state clerks in state administration under the Law on Civil Service, and local government officials, i.e. employees at the municipal offices, municipal authorities with extended competence, and regional offices, is a prerequisite for their service / employment. In the Concept of education in the area of population protection and crisis management, approved by Government Resolution No. 508 of 10 July 2017, the aforementioned groups of officials are among the target groups of education at the first two places. p. 26

Balanced performances were not exceptional
The 46th Czech Championship in Fire Sport of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic and 64th  Czech Championship in Fire Sport of the Association of Firefighters of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia took place in Prague from 25th  to 27th August 2017. p. 30

Influence of ventilation in fire investigation in enclosed space
Fires in enclosed space (compartments) are of the most serious in terms of consequences, whether on health or property.  These fires, due to their specific dynamics, pose a danger to intervening firefighters, and that is why fire tactics pay special attention to them.p. 6

Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty
On 20 September 2017 the Institute of International Relations in Prague organized the workshop on current development of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which was adopted by the UN conference in New York on 7 July 2017.   
Negotiating the treaty, however, was boycotted by all nuclear-weapon states and most of their allies and partner countries to which they provide nuclear protection, including the Czech Republic. p. 11

Innovation in dealing with consequences of emergencies
In the days of 6 and 7 September 2017 the 26 annual of the Fire Protection 2017 International Conference was held in Ostravě. This time, the program was focused on innovation in dealing with consequences of emergencies. p. 12

Fire Safety of Buildings 2017?  How to tackle fire in the 21 century
On Thursday 21 September 2017 the second annual Conference on Fire Safety of Buildings 2017 was held as a part of the FOR ARCH International Fair in Prague. The topics were the issues of wooden structures, cables, and fire safety equipment within escape routes. p. 14

Using Thermal Analysis Methods in fire protection
The Department of Research and Development of the Technical Institute of Fire Protection in Prague operates a large number of analytical and fire tests.  One important group of tests are methods of thermal analysis, which allow to comprehensively describe and evaluate the behaviour of materials during heating.  Measured data can be used in prevention area for fire safety design of buildings, in  the field of detection of causes of fires in formation of fire technical expertise, and for mathematical modelling of solid and liquid combustion. p. 16

Exchange of valuable experience
From 2 to 9 May 2017 a working visit of representatives of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic was realized in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China.  At the invitation of the Office of the Earthquake Emergency this business trip was attended by the Deputy Director General, the Director of the FRS of the Vysočina Region, the head of Operation Centre of the FRS of the Vysočina Region, and a Foreign Relations assistant of the MI-DG FRS CR. p. 18

Strategic objectives of the development of the Czech Fire & Rescue Service
On 20 September 2017 the meeting of the leadership of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic at the level of senior management of the MI-DG FRS CR, the regional directors of FRSs, the fire station commanders and others who deal with the issue of the Integrated Rescue System was held. The Strategy for the Development of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic until 2021 with a view to 2030 was only one of the topics of the workshop attended by more than 300 firefighters from the whole country. p. 21

News of chemical service VI 
Despite the high level of chemical survey tools and field analyses of chemicals that are available in TACHP (Technical Automobile CHemical in chemical and radiation Survey), some expert activities of response units of chemical laboratories of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic remained uncovered. These were air sampling, elemental analysis of samples of unknown composition, etc. These shorter sections were solved by the funds of the Administration of State Material Reserves by up-dating TACHP vehicles. p. 24

ZONE 2017 Exercise
In the days of 15 to 17 May 2017, the ZONE 2017 exercise of crisis management bodies took place in outer zone of emergency planning of the Dukovany nuclear power plant. The exercise was focused on practicing the activities of selected central administrative authorities, authorities of the Vysočina Region and the South Moravian Region, the Integrated Rescue System bodies, and other entities in solving the event caused by a simulated incident at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant. p. 26
                                                                                                                
Current incidents at European Union level
Emergency responses at international level are provided by the European Union with timely and effective assistance to the affected European countries, but also beyond.  Through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) and thanks to the sophisticated mechanism the effective cooperation of states in coordination and disaster response goes effectively. The ERCC ensures continuous monitoring of the situation and effective response to it. p. 30

 FOREST FIRE 2017 exercise
The Karlovy Vary Region together with the Liberec Region are the most forested areas in the Czech Republic.  According to the Institute for Forest Management, nearly forty-four per cent of the area in the Karlovy Vary Region belongs to  the forest massifs.  If we add increasingly prolonging periods without precipitation, high risk of forest fires here calls for appropriate preparedness to combat large forest fires in the contingency plan. p.35

Thanks by music
On 27 September 2017 the thanksgiving St Wenceslas´ concert was held in the St Vitus, Wenceslas and Adalbert Cathedral in Prague Castle. It was a thanksgiving to all fans of the Police and Firefighters Foundation - Mutual Assistance in Need. On the program was German Requiem by Johannes Brahms with Ms. Miroslava Časarové and Mr. František Zahradníček as soloists, the Prague Mixed Choir, and the CTU Choir accompanied by the Prague Castle Guard Orchestra and the Czech Police Orchestra under the command of Colonel Václav Blahunka. p. 36

Evaluation of extraordinary thematic controls of restaurants and casinos
During the year 2017 regional FRSs carried out extraordinary thematic inspections of restaurants and casinos. These controls were aimed at verifying the state of fire safety in entertainment clubs, businesses and casinos.
p. 2

Fire of production and storage halls in Kopřivnice
During their routine patrol on 7th January 2017 the Municipal Police officers in Kopřivnice noticed that the object of one of the production and storage halls in the Štefánikova Street premises has visible smoke and smell of burns.  They communicated the situation through their dispatching centre to the fire brigade.  This way begun one of the biggest fires in the modern history of Nový Jičín district. The fire gradually captured several production and storage halls, and the intervention involved more than 200 firefighters from 33 fire units.  The third degree of fire alarm was proclaimed. p. 4

Dog handlers met in Zbiroh for the third time
At the beginning of October 2017, the third workshop of dog handlers of the Association of Firefighters of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia took place in Zbiroh, Pilsen region.  The event was attended by a total of forty-nine dog handlers of nine volunteer fire brigades from the whole Czech Republic as well as a number of guests, assistants and lecturers. p. 15

VLAK 2017 Tactical Exercise
On 18th April 2017 an accident on the railway crossing in Prague - Michle happened, when a train hit into a bus. The public transportation bus was on the railway crossing just as the passenger train was passing through.  This scenario launched the tactical exercise named VLAK 2017 (means TRAIN) focused on the incident with large number of injured. More than 150 firefighters, police officers and rescuers, representing all basic bodies of the integrated rescue system (IRS), were involved. p. 16
 
Autumn forest fires in the south-west of Europe and related draft amendments to the EU CP Mechanism
In October this year the southwest of Europe was affected by extensive forest fires, which were supported by high air temperature, low humidity, and strong wind.  The most affected countries were Portugal, Spain and Italy.  Portugal and Italy in this difficult situation asked for help through the ERCC (Emergency Response Coordination Centre in Brussels), i.e. for the activation of the European Union Mechanism for Civil Protection. p. 21
 
Chemical laboratories compared their equipment and procedures
From 11th  to 14th September 2017, the Institute of Population Protection in Lázně Bohdaneč hosted the fifth international meeting and workshop of workers from chemical laboratories of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic and workers from Control chemical laboratories of Civil protection of the Slovak Republic, dealing with the issues of radiation monitoring and radiation protection. p. 22
 
New General.  President appointed director of FRS of the MSR
Mr. Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic, upgraded Col. Vladimír Vlček, PhD, director of the Fire & Rescue Service of the Moravian-Silesian Region, to the rank of Brigadier General, on Saturday 28th October 2017 at the Prague Castle. p. 30

 Fire Safety Day 2017
Czech FEU, the Czech Association of Fire Officers in cooperation with FRSs of the regions traditionally announced every Friday, 13th  as the "Fire Safety Day".  This year there were two Fridays, 13th  in the calendar, so the day of fire safety was declared on Friday 13th October 2017. On this "unhappy day" firefighters try to suppress the superstition through various preventive educational activities. This year main theme was "Safe Operation of Chimneys and Thermal Appliances". p. 30
 
Medals and plaques of the FRS CR awarded on the occasion of the National Day of the Independent Czechoslovak State
On the occasion of the National Day of Independent Czechoslovak State, celebrated on 28th October, the FRS CR medals were awarded in the Zbiroh Chateau. Maj. Gen. Drahoslav Ryba, General Director of the FRS CR, handed over medals and plaques of the FRS CR to certain officers of FRS CR, and citizens of the Czech Republic.
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