VOLUNTARY FIRE DEPARTMENTS (VFD) IN POLAND AS AN ENTITY OF THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL SECTOR (NGO) ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE WESTERN POMERANIA VFD.

Purpose: The article's purpose was to explore the usage of and activities to enhance human potential and the socioeconomic impact of the VFD units of the Western Pomerania Voivodship, based on research done among the VFD units of the Western Pomerania Voivodship. Design/methodology/approach: The study employs literature analysis, tabular comparisons, and conducted questionnaires of bathers. The approach for the research was based on a desktop evaluation of accessible information, statistics, and other data national sources. The qualitative data acquired from self-research was used in the statistical analysis. The research group had 338 firemen from 17 VFD units and the research was scheduled from February and the end of March 2022. Findings: The study found that membership in the NRFS system had a considerable impact on local governments and firemen. The operation of TSOs in the NRFS system is a factor that promotes the improvement of firefighters' funding on the part of local governments, and on the part of TSO units themselves, it is a factor that raises their competence and confidence in the skills of their own team. Both have a considerable impact on the effectiveness of rescue and firefighting operations, as well as firefighters' attitudes. Research limitations/implications: The research haslimitations, such as its specific timeframe and omitted variables. Practical implications: The study's findings revealed a progressive professionalization of TSO units in NRFS, as well as an increase in social functions, particularly rescue functions - participation in rescue and firefighting activities, which is reflected in increased receipt of financial support from the municipal to provincial levels. Therefore, reduced activity and selfmotivation of TSO firefighters from outside the NRFS system may cause less professionalism during rescue and firefighting operations. Social implications: Volunteer fire stations perform essential social duties in their region of operation in addition to rescue and firefighting actions. The "extinction" of TSO units' activities outside the KSRG system may result in lower social activity in the locations where the aforementioned units operate, among other reasons. Originality/value: Study documents a certain stage of development of TSO units, with the long-term goal of professionalizing these structures of units joining the NRFS system. In addition to the components (conclusions) described in the article, this is demonstrated by the decreased participation of firefighters outside the NRFS in various activities aimed at raising funds for TSOs' broadly specified statutory activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]