What happens when a flood strikes, roads become impassable, and residents are left waiting for assistance? Who makes the decisions, and is Poland’s crisis management system equipped to respond effectively to such emergencies? These are the questions we explore in the first episode of our podcast – a new series launched by Łukasiewicz – ITECH.
In the premiere episode, host Szymon Kępka speaks with Professor Jacek Wojnicki from Łukasiewicz – ITECH about the effectiveness of crisis management in Poland. The discussion draws on the experience of the 2024 floods in Lower Silesia, which highlighted both the strength of local communities and shortcomings in the functioning of public administration.
As Professor Jacek Wojnicki points out, Poles are capable of responding swiftly and showing solidarity in times of crisis. During the floods, local government officials, village leaders, local media, firefighters and volunteers played a crucial role. They were often the first to organise relief efforts, share vital information and support affected residents. Coordinating the response across different levels of public administration, however, proved to be a far greater challenge.
“The system as a whole earned a grade of three to three-plus on Poland’s six-point grading scale,” Professor Wojnicki observes, noting that while many measures proved effective in practice, considerable room for improvement remains.
The discussion also explores why local authorities, despite being closest to the communities they serve, do not always have the tools and resources they need to respond effectively. In a crisis, do we need a single person in command, or better coordination between institutions? Why can an overload of information be just as problematic as a lack of it? And what lessons have we learned from the 2024 floods?
The discussion goes beyond identifying the challenges. Professor Wojnicki also offers recommendations for improving Poland’s crisis management system – from a clearer division of responsibilities and more effective communication to establishing minimum standards of emergency preparedness for every municipality. He places particular emphasis on education and practical training, which he believes should be among the first steps towards preparing for future threats.
While we may be quick to mobilise in times of crisis, effective crisis management cannot rely solely on spontaneous action and the goodwill of citizens.
We invite you to watch and listen to the first episode of the Łukasiewicz – ITECH PODCAST: “Effectiveness of Crisis Management in Poland – Analysis and Recommendations.”
The podcast offers a preview of Professor Jacek Wojnicki’s forthcoming report, entitled “Effectiveness of Crisis Management in Poland at the Level of Local Authorities and Regional State Institutions.”
The episode is available on our YouTube channel, Spotify and Apple Podcast.