Complete darkness. Smoke that made me unable to see even the end of my outstretched hand. It was very difficult for me to identify that there was a fenced structure next to me. Behind her, like ghosts in the fog, I saw only the outlines of two heads in breathing apparatus.

Somewhere in the distance, two strobe lights flashed. Blue, red. There were strange sounds, as if metal had hit metal, people's voices could be heard.... Even though I knew exactly where I was and why, and that it was not a horror movie, I didn't care, the feeling of panic grew. I preferred to lean my back against the wall and try to be as close as possible to the door through which I entered and not take an extra step into an unknown space.

This is what it looks like in the anti-gas polygon, a training center that our firefighters built in the basement of the building. The entrance itself raises a slight concern, since the entire long wall is covered with black wallpaper with a red fire.

The polygon is approximately 130 meters long and consists of 3 floors. That is, the first floor – each "floor" is only high enough for a firefighter with a breathing apparatus on his back to crawl through it. The entire "track" is separated from the space by rope nets, which can be quickly cut in case of need or panic. There are many obstacles along the entire route – doors, trapdoors, there are mannequins...

Every year, firefighters must complete an exercise in an anti-gas polygon, which is approved by the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, the Presidium of the Fire and Rescue Corps. In Slovakia, there is none up to 130 meters long. Our firefighters completed such training in Veľké Kapušany, now they can train at home. "Their" polygon was officially approved in December.

"Due to the nature of production in ironworks, we need to complete such trainings more often, we have new firefighters who need to gain experience. I'm glad we succeeded. I sincerely want to thank all the boys for their enormous contribution and enthusiasm in building this training center," says Benjamín Brandis, Fire Chief, adding: "We will also save some money for the factory, one such training cost approximately 10,000 euros. At the same time, we can also carry out training for firefighters from other plants and units "in our" polygon."

The interior of the training center is equipped with thermal cameras and the firefighter monitors the events on the screens of monitors in the room in front of the entrance.

While watching the performance of firefighters, already in these properly lit areas, and only on computer screens, the "ingenious" idea came to my mind that firefighters could actually rent this training center, for example, to those interested in various escape games. "Well, you can be the first," laughed Benjamín Brandis.

Too quickly, I said goodbye to him and to firefighters Martin Koreček and Marek Borecký (in the photo on the right), who were in full armament and willingly posing for photos in the anti-gas polygon.