Duda led a ceremony in Warsaw on Thursday during which a number of senior firefighters were promoted to general and many others elevated to higher ranks.
He said during the ceremony at the Polish capital’s Piłsudski Square that firefighters, both professional and volunteer, deserved praise because their service required dedication and courage, while carrying "many risks and sleepless nights."
Duda thanked the nation’s firefighters, saying they were admired for their selflessness and strong spirit.
"Your service is of great importance to national security," Duda said, adding that Polish firefighters were often deployed to help during emergencies abroad, most recently in countries such as France, the Czech Republic and Turkey.
He also thanked Poland's fire service for helping its counterpart in war-torn Ukraine.
Duda's message was echoed by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who said that firefighters were "not only putting out fires, but also taking care of the safety of their local communities."
"The whole nation thanks you for being an important pillar of its security," Morawiecki said.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki thanks Poland’s firefighters for their service during a speech in Warsaw on Thursday. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka
Thursday's ceremonies were held to mark International Firefighters' Day on May 4.
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Source: PAP, IAR, TVP Info