"Wind Strike 2026" exercises are starting in Silesia. There will be alarms and evacuations

"Wind Strike 2026" exercises - standby services

From October 21 to 23, the northern part of the Silesian Voivodeship will be the site of intensive exercises codenamed "Wind Strike 2026".

The event will be attended by approximately 1,400 people, including representatives of all major emergency services and local governments. The aim of the exercises is to improve cooperation in crisis situations, such as extreme weather phenomena or infrastructure failures.

The activities will cover the counties of Częstochowa, Lubliniec, Kłobuck, Myszków, Zawiercie and the city of Częstochowa.

During the 20 episodes, the tasks will be performed by firefighters, paramedics, soldiers, policemen, but also by representatives of local government, announced Marek Wójcik, the Silesian Voivode.

Alarms and evacuations – what awaits residents?

The exercises will include tests of warning and alarm systems. Residents of the region may hear alarm signals and notice the increased presence of services on the streets.

The voivode reassures that there is no need to worry - these are just elements of the exercises.

Scenarios include: removing the effects of violent storms, failures of critical infrastructure and mass evacuation of people. Firefighters will have over 100 pieces of equipment at their disposal, and over 400 officers from the State and Volunteer Fire Department will take part in the activities.

We are training today in calm and peaceful conditions, so that we can prepare as well as possible for the real threat that may occur, emphasized Brig. Zbigniew Dyk, deputy Silesian provincial commander of the State Fire Service.

About 400 police officers will also participate in the exercises, whose task will be to secure the places of simulated events, designate zones and direct traffic.

I think that the added value of these exercises, apart from the fact that we get to know each other and see each other in action, is also that even if we make some mistakes, we can work on them - said the inspector. Jacek Stelmach, Deputy Provincial Police Commander in Katowice.