A university student and firefighter from Poland joins the ranks of American firefighters.
For Karol Nencka, a Polish student and firefighter in training, the dream of becoming a firefighter started at a young age. “I always knew I wanted to do something extraordinary,” he said. “To make a difference and help people.”
Today, Karol is turning his dream into reality through a demanding five-year program at the Fire University of Warsaw. The program blends academic coursework with real-world firefighting experience. Balancing his studies and training, Karol spends three days a week in class and dedicates one day to fieldwork, responding to emergency calls as part of his education.
Paving a Path Toward America
When Karol heard about a friend’s month-long sabbatical working as a firefighter in the United States, he knew it was something he wanted to pursue. “I saw it as a perfect way to combine my lifelong dream of visiting America with my passion for learning and firefighting,” Karol explained. “It would be a great opportunity to see how U.S. firefighting techniques and approaches could inspire improvements in the Polish firefighting system.”
Unlike structured exchange programs, Karol’s American adventure was entirely self-initiated and self-funded. “I used my own vacation time and money to make it happen,” he said. “It was an unpaid internship I created myself.”
After sending dozens of emails to fire chiefs across the U.S., he was welcomed by two departments—the Milwaukee Fire Department in Wisconsin and the Pueblo Fire Department in Colorado.
Living and Learning with U.S. Firefighters
Karol’s month-long visit was split between the two cities, with two weeks spent with each department. He lived in the firehouses, shared meals with the crews and participated in their daily routines. “Everyone made me feel like part of the family,” he said. “It was beyond what I expected.”
Karol gained extensive experience as a U.S. firefighter, responding to an impressive 135 calls. He noted the high volume of calls was one of the most significant differences between firefighting in the U.S. and Poland. “In Poland, EMS is a separate service,” he explained. “It was my first time riding in an ambulance and responding to so many medical emergencies. Those 135 calls represent actual emergencies, not just false alarms.”
Karol also noted the difference between U.S. and Poland firefighter included building materials and fire behavior. According to Karol, most buildings are made of concrete in Poland, so fires are less aggressive. In the U.S., there are more wooden structures and fires spread faster, so the approach to firefighting is much more aggressive.
One of the most inspirational differences Karol noticed was the camaraderie and solidarity between U.S. firefighters. “In Poland, firefighting is viewed as a job,” he said. “In the United States, it’s a lifestyle. Firefighters here create a culture of pride and solidarity, almost like a family.”
Exploring the U.S. Culture
When Karol wasn’t responding to calls or at the firehouse, he explored the local culture, including Lake Michigan’s beautiful lakefront in Milwaukee and the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. He even had the opportunity to attend the Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Colorado Springs.
"Your culture of honoring firefighters is very special," he said. “It was really moving to be part of the event and see how everyone comes together to honor those who have died in the line of duty.”
What was Karol’s favorite thing about U.S. culture unrelated to firefighting? Brunch, which quickly became his favorite meal. “I loved the biscuits and gravy,” he said. “And bacon, we don’t eat so much bacon like in the U.S. I ate so much bacon.”
Sharing Lessons Back Home
After returning to Poland, Karol created a formal presentation of his experience and shared it with his classmates and fellow firefighters. He says he will carry the lessons from his American adventure as he continues his firefighting career in Poland.
“I learned so much about being a great leader and firefighter,” he said. “Being a leader means staying open-minded, learning from other people and cultures, and embracing new ideas.”
Karol's story reminds us growth often begins when we step outside our comfort zones.