Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on water safety services in selected municipalities in the Southern Baltic Sea

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this article is to present the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on water safety services in selected municipalities in the area of the southern Baltic Sea by analyzing changes in the nature of services commissioned before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

APPROACH/METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: Desktop-based research that consisted in a document and database review of available information, statistics and other data from national and regional sources. The statistical analysis performed on the basis of qualitative data collected from Poland via statistical databases. The research relied on the public procurement procedures for water safety services in the following municipalities, Międzyzdroje, Dziwnów, Ustka, and the rural municipality of Ustka.

FINDINGS: The analysis of the data presented in this paper shows that the pandemic changed economic circumstances of providing water rescue services, which in consequence directly or indirectly impacted water safety conditions.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This paper identifies that the pandemic not only unequivocally changed economic circumstances of providing water rescue services, but also deteriorated the training conditions, for instance, by rendering swimming pools out of service or banning in-person training.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The presented overview may be useful for improving the management of bathing water safety in Poland, as it contributes to its proper current diagnosis.