Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic
Headquarters of the Firemen’s Rescue Teams of the Czech Republic
Activities of Fire Fighting Teams (FF)
Graphs :The number of fires has been ranging during past five years round 20,000 cases per year. The number of car accidents has been significantly growing, the effects of which firemen solve or remove. The same applies to the cases of technical assistance (rescue of persons and animals from various places, opening of apartments in emergency, removal of obstacles, opening of locked up rooms, provisional repairs, etc.). The number of water pumping and works in water increased in 1997, especially during the floods (see pp. 17, 18).
The cases of "technological assistance" do not include commencing from 1997 the assistance at welding and similar works of internal FB's and VFB's in plants.
The cases of "other technical actions" do not include examination training actions.
Of the total number of 357 firemen casualties in 1997 three firemen died due to their injuries, ten firemen incurred serious injuries and 172 minor injuries (the seriousness of injuries after three weeks was not identified in 78 voluntary firemen). That means total of five firemen, two professional and three voluntary ones, died during or due to action.
The number of individual types of fire brigades in the total number of actions has changed compared with the past year. Apart from the significant growth of actions of all types of fire brigades during the floods, some other aspects should also be mentioned:
• HZS ČR - 67,02 % of the total number of actions. 226 fire brigades recorded. For the first time after many years the number of cases of technical assistance provided by HZS ČR fire brigades has not changed, the number of actions of these fire brigades in cases car accidents has been still growing.
• VFB municipalities - 19,57 % of the total number of actions. 9,026 fire brigades recorded. The ratio of these fire brigades in the total number of actions has significantly increased. The main actions of these fire brigades include fires, the number of actions in car accidents and cases of technical assistance have also significantly increased.
• Internal FB - 11,52 % of the total number of actions. 137 fire brigades recorded. The number of cases of technological assistance has decreased, many of them featured the character of an event, for which the fire brigade action had been agreed in advance, therefore these events have not been included into the statistics of fire brigade events and actions.
• VFB plants - 1,78 % z of the total number of actions. 1,156 fire brigades recorded. The number of actions in fires as well as the cases of technological assistance, similarly to internal FB's, have been ever decreasing.
On 5th July 1997, during Saturday afternoon and night, rain had set up over the entire territory of Moravia and north-eastern part of Bohemia. Very heavy rain had continued for several days and caused an enormous increase of water passage in most streams and rivers, especially in the regions of Northern Moravia and Eastern Bohemia.
1. Statistical Data Concerning the Employment of Manpower and Technology
The floods in July and August 1997 hit the territory of 33 districts in the Czech Republic, especially along the rivers of Opava, Morava, Bečva, Ostravice, Svratka, Svitava, Orlice and Labe. The critical situation was ever worsened by bad weather, since another wave of heavy rains was imminent. Fortunately, the second wave of floods was not as serious as the first one. The danger demanded that fire brigades be quickly sent to action. From the start of the floods until July 8, 1997, both fire fighting manpower and technology from 62 districts (towns) were used, total of 984 fire brigades (200 professional brigades and 784 voluntary ones) were sent to action. Commencing from Sunday, July 6, 1997, the fire brigades were assisted by army rescue and training units of civic protection as requested by heads of district authorities, and one day later also by the Army of the Czech Republic. Total of 16,967 professional and voluntary firemen from 1,544 fire brigades took part in rescue and liquidation works in the affected regions. 1,793 fire fighting vehicles, 163 special vehicles, 250 boats, and 1,682 portable pumps were used. Most fire brigades repeatedly worked in multiple places and individual firemen frequently rotated. A detailed survey of the manpower and technology employment is shown in the table below.
Type of Fire Brigade | Number of Fire Brigades | Number of Firemen |
district fire brigades | 249 | 3 209 |
internal plant fire brigades | 62 | 539 |
voluntary municipal fire brigades | 1 196 | 12 792 |
voluntary plant fire brigades | 37 | 427 |
TOTAL | 1 544 | 16 967 |
Because of the heavy employment of manpower and technology, the service regime in numerous fire-fighting stations in individual districts had to be modified. Most fire-fighting stations in Moravia mobilized all firemen taking their free days between shifts. Free days between shifts of firemen in some fire-fighting stations in Bohemia were reduced from 48 hours to 24 hours to provide for the service in the necessary extent. Voluntary fire brigades were mobilized to serve in fire-fighting stations instead of professional firemen who were sent to Moravia.
2. Activities of Fire Brigades
The main task of fire brigades includes, pursuant to the Fire Fighting Act, the fire fighting and rescue works during natural disasters and other emergencies. Pursuant to the said Act, the basic mission of the Czech Fire and Rescue Brigade (HZS ÈR) is to protect lives and health of persons and property from fire and provide efficient assistance during natural disasters and other emergencies. These tasks were fulfilled during the floods. The most important activities carried out by firemen during the floods included the organization and performance of the following:
• management of rescue works,
• providing for cooperation with the other components of the Integrated Rescue System,
• rescuing persons in different ways (using boats, vehicles, helicopters, etc.),
• rescuing animals,
• warning inhabitants,
• rescuing and protecting property (e.g. pumping out water from electric substations, telephone exchanges, etc.),
• pumping out water from flooded areas,
• emergency communication with flooded areas,
• emergency supplying with food, water, medicaments,
• providing for the work of District Flood Commissions,
• providing for the operation of important facilities by supplying them with electricity or fuels (telephone communication, mobile telephones, bakeries, etc.)
• technical assistance to the Medical Rescue Service during medical rescue.
In compliance with the Fire Fighting Act and State Administration in Water-Works Act, the rescue works at the entire affected area were controlled by commanders of fire brigades. Total of 29,358 persons were evacuated and 26,304 persons rescued. Rescuing was carried out especially using boats, helicopters, trucks and amphibian vehicles, as well as by organized taking or carrying out.
The floods resulted in numerous emergencies which worsened the general situation and had to be solved by firemen:
• many persons were trapped in affected buildings completely surrounded by water and their collapsing was imminent,
• because of the imminent break-down of Šance dam, the towns situated along the river of Ostravice were at serious risk,
• the flooding of the towns of Ostrava, Olomouc and Otrokovice resulted in numerous environmental accidents,
• barrels and other containers with hazardous matters floated on rivers and more environmental accidents were imminent,
• since many people were unwilling to leave their property, many flooded areas had to be evacuated, although they could have been evacuated before flooding,
• the railway accident of the express train near Suchdol nad Odrou demanded part of fire fighting manpower of technology,
• fires due to short-circuits and spontaneous ignition in flooded buildings demanded more fire fighting actions.
Due to the prolonged employment and often many days without sleep, especially during the first days of the floods, the firemen got exhausted and incurred injuries. Three firemen died due to the floods, two of them of infarction (including one professional fireman) and one of leptospirosis. 58 firemen incurred injuries.
Fire brigades cooperated with:
• the Army of the Czech Republic,
• the rescue and training units of the civic protection,
• the aircraft service of the Czech Police,
• the Police of the Czech Republic,
• the medical rescue service,
• the speleologic rescue service,
• the mining rescue service,
• the mountain rescue service,
• the water rescue service,
• the emergency and technical services,
• managers of endangered plants and organizations,
• heads of district authorities,
• municipal authorities,
• inhabitants.
3. Summary of Expenditures and Incurred Damage
High expenditures and damages to property were incurred at the employment of fire brigades. The largest part of damage stands for the damage caused to fire technologies and tangible means of fire fighting as, for example, fire vehicles, fire engines, rescue boats, boat engines and other equipment used by fire brigades. The damage caused to buildings in the region of Northern Moravia was large, too. The crucial items of higher expenditures consisted of wages, costs of communication, and protective aids.
The higher expenditures of the Czech Fire Rescue Brigade (HZS ČR) amounted to CZK 34,774,857. Upon the Decree of the Czech Government No. 489 dated 20th August 1997, CZK 34.5 mil. were approved and allocated to individual districts. The damage quantified by HZS ČR amounts to CZK 53,929,000. The Ministry of Finance decided to release a financial provision amounting to CZK 43 mil. for HZS ÈR and this volume was appropriated to corresponding district fire brigades. The damage amounting to CZK 10.9 mil. was not refunded to district fire brigades.
The damage quantified by voluntary municipal fire brigades originally amounted to CZK 59,761,681. Upon discussions the sum was reduced to CZK 48.2 mil. Based on data prepared by the Ministry of the Interior, this sum was appropriated by the Ministry of Finance directly to individual municipalities.
4. Conditions of Technology and Tangible Means
Fire brigades used the basic mobile fire fighting technology (fire tank engines "CAS", transport vehicles "DA"), pumps for prolonged use in flooded facilities, boats for rescuing, evacuating and supplying people, and many other tangible means (e.g. rescue ropes, rescue harnesses, life-preservers, protective clothing).
Both the quantity and capacity of pumping sets turned out to be insufficient for prolonged pumping works. HZS ČR owns only two mobile pumping stations with capacity 5000 liters per minute, which were produced in 1974. HZS ČR needs at least six more mobile pumping stations with capacity over 5000 l/min. Numerous fire tank engines and portable or floating pumps belonging to individual fire brigades were deteriorated by heavily soiled water or aggressive substances contained in water.
Personal protective aids for firemen working in water and spending a long time in rain were highly insufficient. If the outdoor temperature had been lower, the health of firemen would have been at risk. Mobile containers for the background provisioning of firemen employed under adverse climatic conditions were missing, too.
The critical situation in the fire brigade equipment with mobile fire fighting technology was demonstrated during the floods. Numerous mobile fire fighting devices are missing, the existing devices are obsolete and feature frequent defects. The critical situation in the fire brigade equipment with mobile fire fighting technology had been stated in the Czech Government Decree No. 304/1990 and Decree No. 646/1994 concerning the territorial localization of fire fighting manpower and technology. As indicated by the report of the territorial localization, the capital expenditure for fire fighting technology as required as of 31st December 1994 had amounted to CZK 5,835 mil. Into certain extent this is a deficit accrued during many years. Of this expenditure CZK 4,060 mil. stands for the replacement of obsolete technology and CZK 1,774 mil. for the purchase of new technology for individual district fire brigades and voluntary municipal fire brigades. 46 % of the aforementioned amount stand for the requirements of municipalities having fire brigades of category JPO II and JPO III. The current amount of capital expenditure in 1995 and 1996 did not even cover the annual 9 % growth of prices of fire fighting technology due to the inflation, by which ratio the original sum of CZK 5,835 mil. annually increases.
The huge deficit in the capital expenditure on the fire fighting technology is ever increasing. Most devices used by district fire brigades are beyond the normal life of machinery. As indicated by the progress, not even the originally assumed capital expenditure amounting to CZK 700 mil p.a. would be enough (because of the absence of sufficient capital expenditures in 1995-96) to settle the enormous deficit before 2005 when, as per the Government Decree No. 646/1994, the territorial localization is to be implemented. The longer is the solution of the problem of the aforementioned deficit postponed, the larger will be in the future years the gap between the need and the actual situation.
The solution would be a significant increase in the volume of capital expenditure, at least up to CZK 1.5 billion annually in 1999 and 2000, which increase would eliminate the current lack of investments during 1995-98 and provide for the necessary replacement of technology until 2005. In spite of the critical situation in the fire brigade equipment, the draft state budget for 1998 for district and selected municipal fire brigades appropriates only CZK 400 mil. which also includes the necessary expenditure on buildings.
5. Proposals and Comments
Fire brigades fulfilled their tasks during the floods. No system defects appeared during the rescue and liquidation works in the field of fire fighting. The coordination task of district fire brigades within the Integrated Rescue System was proved. Operation centers of district fire brigades assisted during the floods the district flood commissions and provided for the implementation of respective decisions. HZS ČR Headquarters fulfilled all tasks required of it and again proved the necessity of existence of its operation and information center. So far the most extensive employment of manpower and technology from the entire territory of the country throughout the history of the fire fighting service was realized. With regard to the employed persons and technology, the employment of firemen exceeded all other components helping during the floods. The following facts were demonstrated:
• the fire brigade commander should be the action commander during emergencies,
• HZS ČR operation centers should be included in the Integrated Rescue System,
• the control link at the district level is the head of the district authority.
Some shortages appeared during the floods, which should be solved:
• The system of a cooperation link among individual components of the Integrated Rescue System, and especially its financing.
• Complete the building of operation and information centers of the Integrated Rescue System for the needs of coordination as to directly connect them with facilities where district emergency commissions work so that the operation centers can fully support the activities of the district emergency commission.
• Settle the complicated situation in capital expenditure for fire fighting needs.
• Introduce a suitable system of progress modeling as to forecast the possible progress of a flood on streams and rivers, especially in middle and lower parts.
• The localization in the town of Olomouc of the Crisis Staff of the Central Flood Commission was not suitable because its work had to be interrupted due to the flood progress. All state bodies which are involved in floods are located in Prague, the representatives of these bodies had to move to Olomouc where they worked under improvised conditions, the telephone connection with the Crisis Staff was problematic and sometimes possible only by mobile phones, the fax connection was almost impossible. In this context a system of central control of liquidation of emergencies should be designed.
• A defect in the still incomplete system of protection of inhabitants appeared. The most serious problems were in the field of warning, evacuation, emergency survival, and humanitarian help. That is why the existing system of the civic protection has to be transformed.
• The existence of the District Flood Commission clashes the competencies of the district authority head, since the District Flood Commission is a collective body functioning differently from the District Emergency Commission which is a consultative body of the district authority head. The heads of district authorities require that only one commission exists, preferentially the District Emergency Commission established based on the principles of the Integrated Rescue System and methodical instruction issued by the Deputy Minister for CSÚ to provide for the tasks of district authorities in directing the Integrated Rescue System dated 14th March 1996. A unified system of liquidation of emergencies should be established.
• For extensive rescue works the territory of a district should be divided to operation sectors, their commanders should be appointed, way of communication and coordination of activities within the operation sector established. This way of liquidation of emergencies should be trained.
• All aircraft rescue means should be better employed and their use trained on a regular basis.
• A coordination of activities and coordinated flow of information between the district and republic levels should be provided for.
• A system of potential employment of the army during several hours should be established in the Army of the Czech Republic.
• A smooth transition to and coordination of second-sequence components with the basic components of the Integrated Rescue System should be designed.
• Fire brigades should be equipped with the following for the case of floods:
• suitable boats with lighting and strong engines,
• clothing for work in water,
• sufficient stock of life-vests for persons being rescued,
• high-capacity pumps,
• mud pumps with own drive,
• off-road cars,
• windlass,
• suitable background provisioning.
In general it is necessary to complete the implementation of the territorial localization of fire fighting manpower and means and provide for sufficient finances for:
• the replacement of the obsolete fire fighting technology,
• the purchase of new and missing fire fighting devices,
• the required increase of the staff of HZS ČR in compliance with the territorial localization of fire fighting manpower and means as per the Czech Government Decree No. 646/1994,
• the construction of necessary buildings for fire brigades and the Integrated Rescue System.
Compared with 1996 the damage caused by the same number of fires was higher by 8.6 %. 185 large fires (damage exceeding CZK 1 mil.), i.e. 0.9 % of the total number, stood for 63.3 % of the total damage.
Firemen rescued 326 persons directly during fires and evacuated 3,222 persons.
This survey indicates that in average 59 fires daily occurred in 1997 in the Czech Republic with the damage amounting to CZK 3,700,000. The average damage per fire is CZK 63,000.
In the sector of industries 1,368 fires occurred in 1997 with the damage amounting to CZK 302,242,200, two persons were killed and 107 persons injured. 38 large fires (damage exceeding CZK 1 million) caused the total damage amounting to CZK 256 mil., i.e. 2.8 % of fires caused 85 % of the damage. Compared with 1996, the number of fires decreased by 9.5 %, the damage is lower by 42.8 %.
During past five years in average 1,337 fires occurred annually in the sector of industries, the average damage per fire being CZK 230,000.
In the sector of agriculture 1,053 fires occurred in 1997 with the damage amounting to CZK 114,540,600, 42 persons were injured. 24 large fires (damage exceeding CZK 1 million) caused the total damage amounting to CZK 62.8 mil., i.e. 2.3 % of fires caused 55 % of the damage. Compared with 1996, the number of fires decreased by 57.4 %, the damage is higher by 6.2 %.
During past five years in average 1,950 fires occurred annually in the sector of agriculture, the average damage per fire being CZK 55,000.
In the sector of forestry 473 fires occurred in 1997 with the damage amounting to CZK 35,524,600, three persons were killed and 14 persons injured. Compared with 1996, the number of fires decreased by 56.2 %, the damage is higher by 3.9 %. The fires destroyed or damaged 530 hectares of forests.
During past five years in average 1,230 fires occurred annually in the sector of forestry, the average damage per fire being CZK 26,700.
In the sector of transport 2,619 fires occurred in 1997 with the damage amounting to CZK 207,117,300, 36 persons were killed and 196 persons injured. Thirty large fires (damage exceeding CZK 1 million), i.e. 1.2 % of fires caused 46.3 % of the damage. Compared with 1996, the number of fires decreased by 18.7 %, the damage is higher by 49.2 %.
During past five years in average 2,970 fires occurred annually in the sector of transport, the average damage per fire being CZK 48,200.
In the sector of the building industry 219 fires occurred in 1997 with the damage amounting to CZK 23,618,800, twelve persons were injured. Compared with 1996, the number of fires decreased by 7.2 %, the damage is lower by 42.5 %.
During past five years in average 250 fires occurred annually in the sector of the building industry, the average damage per fire being CZK 80,600.
In the sector of trade 335 fires occurred in 1997 with the damage amounting to CZK 93,089,800, one person was killed and 37 persons were injured. Eighteen large fires (damage exceeding CZK 1 million), i.e. 5.4 % of fires caused 82.8 % of the damage. Compared with 1996, the number of fires decreased by 12.8 %, the damage is lower by 21.4 %.
During past five years in average 364 fires occurred annually in the sector of trade, the average damage per fire being CZK 262,700.
In the sector of households 2,645 fires occurred in 1997 with the damage amounting to CZK 123,220,000, 66 persons were killed and 371 persons injured. Ten large fires (damage exceeding CZK 1 million), i.e. 0.4 % of fires caused 22 % of the damage. Compared with 1996, the number of fires decreased by 22.1 %, the damage is lower by 12.7 %.
During past five years in average 3,170 fires occurred annually in the sector of households, the average damage per fire being CZK 36,200.
Prague
21st April - Printing house of Česká typografie a.s. at Prague 1. Cause: incorrect maintenance with subsequent ignition of inflammables caused by a broken bulb. Damage: CZK 22,024,000. Injured: 12 persons, evacuated or rescued: 28 persons.
14th July - Warehouse of Delta Climatizer Plus at the market place at Prague 7. Cause: unidentified. Damage: CZK 9,000,000.
23rd October - Service station and passenger cars in the building of Kongresové centrum a. s. at Prague 4. Cause: investigation in progress. Damage: CZK 8,500,000. Evacuated: 400 persons.
23rd November - Building of Komerční banka a. s. at the Wenceslas Square at Prague 1. Cause: technical defect - battery electric contact resistance. Damage: CZK 17,500,000.
13th December - Technical and operating building of Metrostav a. s. at Prague 8. Cause: technical defect - fluorescent lamp electric contact resistance. Damage: CZK 8,510,000.
19th December - Warehouse of film materials of Top Art Studio at the non-dwelling facility of a dwelling house at Prague 2. Cause: fire set on intentionally. Damage: CZK 9,150,000.
Central Bohemia
21st January - Recreation cottage at Mladovice, district of Benešov. Cause: technical defect - electric short circuit. Damage: CZK 7,200,000.
11th June - Warehouse of Chladicí vìe a. s. at the former brick factory at Vrá, district of Beroun. Cause: fire set on intentionally. Damage: CZK 25,000,000.
9th November - Dwelling house at Kladno. Cause: chimney joints. Damage: CZK 5,000,000. Injured: 1 persons, 20 persons rescued.
4th January - Production plant of plastics of Superplast at Lety, district of Praha-západ. Cause: technical defect - electric short-circuit in the internal distribution lines. Damage: CZK 8,100,000.
8th November - House of Culture at Jesenice, district of Praha-západ. Cause: technical defect - electric short-circuit. Damage: CZK 19,700,000. Injured: 2 persons.
South Bohemia
12th April - Warehouse of spare parts of Thorn Autotechnic s. r. o. at České Budějovice. Cause: neglect - burning of dry grass. Damage: CZK 8,000,000. Injured: 3 persons.
West Bohemia
6th April - Theater at Cheb. Cause: fire set on intentionally. Damage: CZK 5,000,000. Evacuated: 2 persons.
30th September - Sale stands at the market place at Potùèky, district of Karlovy Vary. Cause: investigation in progress. Damage: CZK 22,000,000.
24th August - Restaurant Mirage at Plzeò. Cause: fire set on intentionally. Damage: CZK 36,542,000.
15th December - Wine shop Rosso at Mirošov, district of Rokycany. Cause: investigation in progress. Damage: CZK 6,000,000.
3rd January - Saw mill of Sandra at Rotava, district of Sokolov. Cause: fire set on intentionally. Damage: CZK 25,000,000.
12th May - Overburden dumping machine in the mine at Vintíøov, district of Sokolov. Cause: technical defect of the driving electric motor. Damage: CZK 5,878,000.
North Bohemia
6th April - Warehouse and offices of Praské pivovary a. s. at Vratislavice, district of Liberec. Cause: technical defect - electric contact resistance of the internal distribution line. Damage: CZK 6,894,000.
14th July - Belt conveyer and return station of overburden at Doly Bílina a. s. at Radovesice, district of Teplice. Cause: technical defect - conveyer belt friction. Damage: CZK 11,434,000.
15th January - Wood Hotel Žandov at Ústí nad Labem - Chlumec. Cause: neglect at welding works. Damage: CZK 5,000,000.
East Bohemia
25th November - Shed, warehouse and canteen of Ledvina at Kostelec nad Orlicí, district of Rychnov nad Kněžnou. Cause: spontaneous ignition of coal. Damage: CZK 8,612,000.
4th September - Roofs of historical houses at the square at Svitavy. Cause: neglect when using open fire during insulation works. Damage: CZK 14,000,000. Evacuated: 2 persons.
4th November - Steel shed with hay of ZD Dubenec a.s. at Dubenec, district of Trutnov. Cause: investigation in progress. Damage: CZK 8,000,000.
South Moravia
20th October - Warehouse of materials and footwear of Profin at Hrušovany, district of Brno-venkov. Cause: neglect - incorrect use of inflammable liquids and gasses. Damage: CZK 7,975,000.
7th March - Refuse incinerating plant of Emseko s. r. o at Zlín. Cause: explosion of gas. Damage: CZK 80,000,000. Injured: 1 person.
31st August - Passenger car Porsche Carrera at D1 highway, district of Jihlava. Cause: car accident. Damage: CZK 5,000,000.
25th September - Warehouses of building and consumer goods at Nová Říše, district of Jihlava. Cause: technical defect - electric short-circuit. Damage: CZK 5,325,000.
27th December - Drying room for wood-fiber boards at Jihomoravské dřevařské závody a. s. at Jihlava. Cause: explosion of wood dust. Damage: CZK 5,100,000.
8th October - Barn used as a warehouse of PC and HVAC components at Čelčice, district of Prostějov. Cause: incorrect maintenance and subsequent electric short-circuit of a discharge lamp.
North Moravia
11th March - Warehouse of Kovohutě; Břidličná a. s., district of Bruntál. Cause: discharge of static electricity due to neglect. Damage: CZK 12,751,000. Killed: 1 person, injured: 1 person.
16th September - Cow-shed at Rýmaøov, district of Bruntál. Cause: children playing with fire. Damage: CZK 6,000,000.
22nd February - Warehouse of plastic flowers in the building of LIVO s. r. o. at Ostrava. Cause: fire set on intentionally. Damage: CZK 5,000,000. Injured: 1 person.
19th September - Turnip harvester HOLMER in the field near Přerov. Cause: unidentified. Damage: CZK 7,000,000.
12th February - Truck DAF and passenger car Š 125 on the road at Dolní Bečva, district of Vsetín. Cause: car accident with subsequent fire. Damage: CZK 8,340,000.
25th May - Building of Priessnitz Curing Spa at Jeseník. Cause: suicidal explosion. Damage: CZK 20,000,000. Killed: 1 person, injured: 16 persons, rescued and evacuated 38 persons.