How many lives have been shaped within these walls? Today we stand before the Akademia Pożarnicza 02. It is a public university in Warsaw. It trains fire service officers. It also trains specialists in fire and civil safety. Until recently it was called Szkoła Główna Służby Pożarniczej. But on August 1 1923, its name changed to Akademia Pożarnicza.
The Akademia Pożarnicza’s history is rich. It began as the Central Fire Training Center. Later it was the Central Fire School. Then it became the Central Officer Fire School. It then transformed into the Fire Officer School. Eventually, it was the Higher Officer Fire School. The Akademia Pożarnicza continues the work of its predecessors.
Imagine back to 1937-1938. The building was constructed in the functionalist style. Jan Reda designed it. The building first served as the Central Fire Protection Training Center. The first courses started in March 1939. The building suffered damage in 1944 during the Warsaw Uprising. It was rebuilt in 1948. A sports hall was added between 1966 and 1970.
In 1971, the Higher Officer Fire School was established. The first graduates received officer degrees in 1975. They also earned fire engineering titles. Students participated in firefighting actions. They helped to deal with natural disasters. This happened in Warsaw and the surrounding area. Around 820 people studied there in 1980. About half were full-time students.
In November 1981, students began an occupation strike. They opposed the school being under military education law. Most students joined. The Council of Ministers dissolved the school. This was on November 30 1981. The strike ended by forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. On December 2, ZOMO units broke into the school. Anti-terrorist squads landed on the roof by helicopter. Students were transported to train stations. They were ordered to go home. Some students continued the strike. They did so at the Warsaw University of Technology until December 6 1981. Some were later prevented from completing their studies.
In January 1982, the School of Main Fire Service was created. This replaced the dissolved school. It existed until August 1 2023. Then it became the Akademia Pożarnicza. In 1993, the university received the Józef Tuliszkowski Honorary Medal. In 1994, a plaque was placed on the building’s facade. It commemorates its defense during the Warsaw Uprising. Soldiers from the “Żubr” group defended it.
The Akademia Pożarnicza is a state technical university. It has full academic rights. It is a unit of the State Fire Service. It reports to the Chief Commander of the State Fire Service.
The university offers engineering and master’s studies. These are available in full-time and part-time systems. Full-time students include uniformed students and civilian students. Uniformed students live on campus. They serve in the Rescue and Firefighting Unit. This secures the area of Warsaw’s Żoliborz.
In July 2017, cadets were sent to set up barriers around the Sejm. They were to separate protesters from the building. This was the first use of firefighters for political actions since 1989. In April 2020, Rector Paweł Kępka lost his position. This followed the discovery of coronavirus infections and mismanagement at the university.
The Akademia Pożarnicza stands as a beacon of knowledge. It is a place of training and dedication. It prepares individuals to protect life and property. Its history is marked by resilience. It continues to evolve. It provides crucial services to the community. It shapes future generations of firefighters and safety experts.