In the days of 15 to 17 July 2010, at the request of the office of the governor of Warmia-Mazury Province, the Maltese Medical Aid and Humanitarian Assistance Station of the Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) organized a multi-function field hospital. The director was the deputy commander of Maltese Medical Corps in the Szczecin region, Dr. Jerzy Sieńko. The hospital operated in the fields near Grunwald, during the re-enactment of the Battle of Grunwald (also known as Tannenberg) on its 600^th anniversary. The hospital staff consisted of 4 physicians, 8 paramedics and 20 volunteers, including one member of Maltese Medical Corps from Szczecin, Robert Stasiuk. The hospital performed 474 treatments. The hospital was in communication with the coordinator of medical activities at the Provincial Emergency Medical center and with the various services protecting the observances at Grunwald. The activities of the hospital were supported by donations from the Draeger Company, thanks to which the hospital had at its disposal 6 stations of intensive care equipped with cardiomonitors, respirators, defibrillators, pulsometers and intubation supplies. In addition, the hospital had a mobile out-patient surgery module and observation wards located in tents.

The hospital was secured by the logistical arm of the VFD, which arranged for electric power and water. During the hospital’s operation, it was visited by Waldemar Pawlak, Deputy Prime Minister of Poland and Chairman of the Board of the National VFD; Zygmunt Komar, delegate of the Board of the Polish Association of Knights of Malta for Warmia-Mazury; Abp. Edmund Piszcz, and Jacek Protas, Speaker of the Provincial Assembly.

On July 31 2010, the VFW unit in Klebark Wielki observed its 100^th anniversary. Observances were held at the Sanctuary in Klebark Wielki and in the unit’s building. A Holy Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated by Bp. Jacek Jezierski, followed by a parade and a ceremony of bestowing orders and decorations. Then there were demonstrations of highway, fire, chemical and medical rescue activities. The anniversary ended with a feast for the local inhabitants and invited guests. Prime Minister Donald Tusk sent a personal message to the Maltese firemen. Other dignitaries taking part included representatives of the Board of the National VFD, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, and persons from the provincial and local governments.

The Maltese Volunteer Fire Department is an organization acting under the patronage of the Polish Association of Knights of Malta, with members of the Association serving on its board. The unit has specialized skills in fire and highway rescue, and a separate section for medical rescue and humanitarian aid. The Maltese unit is also part of the nation-wide fire and rescue system and supports the National Emergency Medical Service.

 (Krzysztof Guzek, Artur Kwiatkowski)