Towarzystwa Ochotniczych Straży Pożarnych w powiecie wieluńskim w latach 1918-1939 (cz. 2)

Fire departments, even though they were institutions playing an important role in the society, mainly thanks to protecting both valuable possessions and peoples’ lives, struggled with constant financial problems and had to properly manage very limited budgets, similarly to other social institutions (especially those operating in rural areas). At the same time, the efficiency of the organization was highly dependent on the equipment owned. There was also the need to regularly repair the already owned but damaged devices and additionally invest in new equipment, which was typically exceptionally expensive. Due to all that, the development of fire department was an evolutionary process spanning in time, for it was highly dependent on the understanding of firefighters’ needs by the local society, the engagement of firefighters themselves, and funds or resources that could be gathered elsewhere. The main aim of departments in question was to extinguish fires, but to perform their duties properly, firefighters had to participate in training sessions, exercises, and drills. What is more, they also took part in firefighter competitions and meetings. Aside from such actions, one has to remember about the cultural function of such departments, which organized numerous amateur shows or societal events.