Dr Tomasz Szczepański Participates in the 150th Anniversary Celebrations of the Łódź Fire Service
On 22 May 2026, the official Firefighter’s Day celebrations of the Municipal Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Łódź took place at Rescue and Firefighting Unit No. 2 in Łódź. The event was held in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the Łódź Fire Service.
One of the most solemn moments of the ceremony was the unveiling of a commemorative plaque dedicated to Major Józef Zenobiusz Zajączkiewicz – an officer of the Polish Army, a participant in the Polish–Soviet War, a member of the Board of the Łódź Fire Service, and a victim of the Katyn massacre in the spring of 1940. The plaque was funded in honour of Łódź firefighters during the jubilee year marking the 150th anniversary of the Łódź Fire Service.
Floral tributes at the memorial were laid by, among others: Deputy Provincial Commander of the State Fire Service in Łódź, Senior Brigadier Wojciech Wieloch; Municipal Commander of the State Fire Service in Łódź, Senior Brigadier Piotr Jóźwiak; the grandson of Major Józef Zajączkiewicz, retired Senior Brigadier Józef Zajączkiewicz; representatives of the Federation of Katyn Families led by Kazimiera Lange; and Jarosław Olbrychowski, President of the “Police Family 1939” Association. The Katyn Museum was represented by Dr Tomasz Szczepański. The plaque was blessed by Fr Marcin Jarzenkowski, Chaplain of the Łódź Fire Service.
The ceremony brought together officers of the State Fire Service, volunteers from the Volunteer Fire Service, representatives of national and local government authorities, uniformed services, partner institutions, and invited guests. In their addresses, the hosts of the event – Senior Brigadier Piotr Jóźwiak, Municipal Commander of the State Fire Service in Łódź, and Sławomir Emanuel, President of the Municipal Branch of the Volunteer Fire Service Association of the Republic of Poland in Łódź – emphasised the importance of firefighters’ service, tradition, and cooperation between all services and institutions working to ensure the safety of Łódź residents.
The celebrations also provided an opportunity to present decorations, distinctions, and promotions to higher service ranks to officers of the State Fire Service and members of the Volunteer Fire Service. Medals commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre were also awarded.
Photo: Jarosław Olbrychowski
