The ORLEN Unipetrol RPA Fire and Rescue Service is celebrating a major anniversary – 80 years since its formation. From its beginnings during World War II to its modern and highly professional unit status today, its history is a story of continuous development, adaptation, and determination to protect lives, property, and the environment within one of the largest chemical complexes in Central Europe. ORLEN Unipetrol's professional corporate fire brigade responds not only to incidents within the premises but also in surrounding towns and municipalities. It deals with emergencies and technical interventions and, if necessary, provides first aid before the arrival of the emergency services. To this end, the unit is not only properly trained but also equipped with the necessary equipment, including a defibrillator. On the occasion of this major anniversary, the firefighters received commemorative medals.
Today, the unit is a state-of-the-art, highly qualified team ready to respond to any emergency with maximum efficiency and expertise. "Our firefighters guarantee safety not only for the company's employees and property but also for the entire surrounding area. Eighty years of history demonstrate continuous development, adaptation, and readiness to protect lives. Thanks to the professionalism and dedication of our firefighters, ORLEN Unipetrol can operate with the knowledge that, in the event of any danger, a team is ready to respond immediately. They bring peace of mind, certainty and trust – values that are absolutely key in our industry," says Milan Brejchal, member of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group's Board of Directors, praising the work of the fire brigade, adding: “On the occasion of the 80th anniversary, employees received commemorative medals as a token of respect and gratitude for their invaluable service, which brings peace and safety to the company and its surroundings.”
The history of the fire brigade dates back to 1939 when the first unit was established as part of the construction of a chemical plant in Záluží. Originally a German brigade, it gradually expanded its operations. After the war, in 1945, a wholly Czech brigade was formed, which continued the work of its predecessors and became an integral part of the plant's safety system. The name of the brigade has changed over the years according to the name of the company, and since 2021, it has been officially known as HZS ORLEN Unipetrol RPA. Today, the firefighters operate from two stations: the central station on the old plant premises and Station No. 2 in the petrochemical part of the site. They employ a total of 80 people, including 63 firefighters on call. Their activities are divided between emergency response and prevention, both of which play a key role in ensuring fire safety.
In 2024, the unit responded to various incidents, including planned assistance in carrying out risky work at production units. "The most common reasons for Fire and Rescue Service callouts were technical interventions, medical assistance, fires, hazardous substance leaks and traffic accidents. False alarms triggered by automatic electrical fire alarm systems are also a frequent reason for callouts. During each callout, firefighters try to determine the cause of the false alarm so that it can be eliminated. The interventions themselves are not limited to the company premises – firefighters are part of the fire alarm plan for the Ústí Region and also respond in neighbouring towns, including Litvínov, Most and other nearby municipalities," says Petr Králert, commander of the ORLEN Unipetrol fire brigade. The company's firefighters also play a major role in responding to accidents involving tankers transporting liquefied ethylene as part of the Transport Information Accident System (TRINS).
The unit also works closely with the Emergency Medical Service and the Air Rescue Service of the Ústí Region. There are three helicopter landing pads in the vicinity of the site, enabling a rapid response in the event of serious injuries or health problems related to cardiovascular disease, where speed of transport to the hospital is one of the key factors. The firefighters also complete approximately 50 tactical exercises per year and regularly participate in joint operations with the Ústí Regional Fire Brigade. Each firefighter must meet strict qualification requirements and periodically renew their professional certification.
To ensure a high level of preparedness, ORLEN Unipetrol firefighters use a modern fire safety training ground, which has been part of the company's training and education centre since 2021. “The training ground allows for realistic training in an environment that simulates chemical production conditions, including extinguishing hydrocarbon fires, gas and liquid leaks, and rescuing people from technological equipment,” describes fire brigade commander Petr Králert. Thanks to this infrastructure, firefighters can regularly train in specific scenarios and improve their response times in real-life conditions, which significantly contributes to the overall safety of the site and its surroundings.
Another major event for the company's firefighters was their cooperation with pyrotechnicians from the Czech Police and members of the Czech Fire and Rescue Service during last year's successful neutralisation of an aerial bomb with a chemical igniter found on the Litvínov site near the T700 heating plant. The firefighters were involved in ensuring safety measures, evacuating employees and coordinating the response in close cooperation with other components of the integrated rescue system. Their professionalism and preparedness were crucial to the smooth operation, without endangering the population.
ORLEN Unipetrol firefighters also played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic. They made a major contribution to ensuring continuity of operations and safety at the ORLEN Unipetrol site. Their efforts helped production continue without interruption, which was crucial not only for the company but also for the stability of the Czech economy and supply chains throughout the country.
The ORLEN Unipetrol Group is the largest refining and petrochemical company in the Czech Republic. It focuses on oil processing and the production, distribution, and sale of fuels and petrochemical products, particularly plastics and fertilizers. It is a major player in all these areas on the Czech and Central European markets. The ORLEN Unipetrol Group includes refineries and production plants in Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou, Paramo in Pardubice, Spolana in Neratovice, REMAQ in Otrokovice, and two research centers in Litvínov and Brno. ORLEN Unipetrol also owns the ORLEN network of petrol stations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. ORLEN Unipetrol is one of the largest companies in the Czech Republic in terms of turnover. It employs over 6,000 people. ORLEN Unipetrol is also a socially responsible company, particularly in the areas of sustainable development, education, local communities, and the environment. The prestigious international Top Employer certificate, which the group received in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and a number of national awards confirm the high quality of employee care. In 2005, ORLEN Unipetrol became part of the ORLEN Group, the largest energy company in Central Europe.