Evacuation, transportation of essential products and yet removal of direct flood effects. Soldiers from the 22nd Carpathian Mountain Infantry Battalion, despite being in a hard situation, have been helping residents of Kłodzka and the surrounding areas to return to normality for respective weeks. What they're doing, we're talking to the colonel. Gregory Owl, unit commander.
Colonel, we all remember the terrifying images of Kłodzka's water. What happened before the flood came? Have you considered that it could origin specified damage? The soldiers realized that they could be active in the removal of its effects?
Since the 22nd Carpathian Mountain Infantry Battalion is stationed in Kłodzek, this situation was straight affecting us. That is why we have followed with large care both weather information and water levels. We survived the flood in 1997, so we knew what its consequences might be, although the situation looked different years ago. Then it rained for a week and a half, and now it all went a lot faster. A fewer days before the flood, not only us, but the 163th Battalion of the Light Infantry of the Territorial defence Army kept our forces ready for possible action. Our unit was besides targeted sappers equipped with boats And PTS. The soldiers were besides on alert. 18th Mechanized DivisionWe've had the base of our command course. On Saturday, erstwhile the alarms on the rivers began to rise, 2 thirds of all these forces were present in the unit, the remaining soldiers had a certain time of standing – 4 hours. That's an order at 2:00 a.m.
And you acted immediately?
Our unit is on a hill, so it became certain Type of evacuation hub. It was here that most of the services were stationed, and the landing site was built. for helicopters, both military and police. Their grounding was handled by 1 of our soldiers who has the authority to do so. These machines included people evacuated from the surrounding towns. We provided them with warm drinks, the anticipation of heating up, and then the fire department transported them to primary school, where a temporary residence point was established. For the first hours, that was our job.
And how did they change over time?
The first days were very hard. It's been cut off.Because the flood wave ripped off the bridges, the roads were flooded. BTS relays besides stopped operating, so there was no cellular communications. People didn't get in touch, they didn't know what happened to their loved ones. Our soldiers, due to the fact that they know the surrounding areas, together with bomb squads equipped with boats, set off to identify the situation, see who and where may request aid or evacuation. There were quite a few people like that. In 1 case, erstwhile a paralyzed man was stuck in an flat on the second floor, it was essential to usage line techniques to get him out. erstwhile the water began to fall, We delivered to the inhabitants of the Kłodzka Basin articles of first need, water, food. Since many roads were inactive inaccessible, we besides recognized alternate routes so that these convoys could scope where they were most needed. Unfortunately, the towns specified as the Old and fresh Gierałts and Bielice could inactive not be reached by land, so first-hand articles were sent on board helicopters.
Then it was decided that the soldiers who were stationed on the Polish-Belarusian border would return to Kłodzko. Not only to support our actions, but above all to be with their loved ones. due to the fact that they were so far distant from families in request of support, they felt helpless.
Not only do soldiers help, but they may besides feel the effects of flooding.
Yeah, that's almost 70 soldiers. Many of them did not have much water in their homes, but it is crucial to remember that a tiny amount of water can lead to the fact that all equipment, household items request to be replaced, and a major renovation may be necessary. A fewer people have found themselves in a situation where they have nothing to go back to. But we don't leave our people behind, soldiers aid those victims back to normal.
What about the situation in the Kłodzka Basin? What forces are active in removing the effects of floods?
At the highest point, after the water subsided, 300 soldiers from the 22nd Battalion were involved, we were besides supported by 100 soldiers from the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade. At the time, about 3,000 terrystals were besides targeted in the Kłodzka Basin. Currently, 150 troops from our unit supply assistance to victims. We are besides working with the 16th Lower Silesian OT Brigade and the forces assigned to it in the framework of Operation Feniks. There is besides cooperation with the Fire Department, Border Guard, Police.
It's not easy, is it?
Everything's going great. We shared our assignments. WOT soldiers operate on the streets, they have circumstantial sectors assigned, and since we are from here and know locals, we have focused on supporting older people, mothers raising single children who can't cope, for example, with emptying flooded rooms, cellars, removal of flood silt. We are besides trying to supply them with first-hand articles that have been donated to them by donors. At first, it was water and food, now primarily quilts, blankets, pillows, gas stoves, aggregates, washing agents, disinfectants, but besides shovels and brooms. I will not hide that the SIRON app is very helpful in coordinating actions. all day it is utilized by emergency services, including GOPR. 1 of the soldiers belongs to this formation and proposed to implement specified a solution. This allows us to monitor on an ongoing basis where and what tasks a peculiar group performs, as well as to direct soldiers to subsequent locations where their support is needed. The service itself is very simple and is done via a mobile phone, so we could implement this solution quickly.
What about the soldiers themselves? I guess they'd alternatively go back to the field to proceed training...
It's not like there's no training. Eventually, the military has always been active in anti-crisis activities. Although we do not usage the word exercise now, this is simply a large test, not only for the soldiers providing assistance, but also, above all, for the staff officers, all planning cells, and logistics, who must safe the military's operations. The difference is that now we cannot halt and say: we are starting from the beginning.
So what are your plans for the next fewer days?
Kłodzko itself is already practically cleared out, flood debris and mules are exported, and this is slow happening in the countryside. However, in many buildings, schools, kindergartens it is essential to chain floors, plasterers, and that is what we focus on now. We besides support older people who do not have the chance to do so alone. And time is short, due to the fact that winter is getting closer. Then We'll most likely be cleaning up the area by the rivers themselves.if the conditions allow, due to the fact that many places are inactive unavailable. Whatever these tasks may be, we will support this community. due to the fact that we're from here. We will act as long as necessary.
