EVALUATING KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WILDFIRES AMONG FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRE SCHOOL CADETS: A SURVEY-BASED STUDY

Wildfires represent major threats to the natural environment and human life. The increasing globalrisk of forest fires, driven by climate change, has expanded to previously unaffected areas. Challengesin landscape fire prevention include inconsistent data reporting, fire services primarily specializedin urban-focused firefighting, and insufficient regional cooperation. Wildland firefighting is physicallyand mentally demanding, involving long shifts under hazardous conditions. A survey method wasused to collect data and evaluate the knowledge of Polish firefighters, including active-duty personneland fire school cadets, regarding the environmental consequences of wildfires, relevant regulations,and management practices. Questionnaires were distributed through a professional firefighter forumand in collaboration with State Fire Service schools. The findings indicate that fire school cadets, incertain areas, demonstrate greater knowledge about forest fires than active-duty firefighters, suggestingthat adapting the curriculum to current challenges is effective.