ACRC: Age Limit for Experienced Firefighter Recruitment Should Be Relaxed to 45 or Below

[Financial News] The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) announced on the 29th that it has recommended improvements to the firefighter personnel system to the National Fire Agency (NFA), aiming to enhance professionalism and ensure stable working conditions for firefighters.
Currently, most experienced firefighter recruitment is limited to applicants aged 40 or younger. The ACRC explained that this restriction prevents mid-career professionals with over ten years of experience in specialized fields from applying for the recruitment exam.
The ACRC recommended easing the age limit to 45 or below, but only for fields where expertise is a priority, such as driving, medical care, and nursing.
The ACRC stated, "For roles that involve saving lives in complex emergency situations, the system should prioritize extensive experience, skill, and crisis management ability over age." The commission also recommended revising related regulations to allow personnel exchanges between regions with the NFA chief’s approval if unavoidable reasons such as childbirth, childcare, or family caregiving are recognized. Under current regulations, newly appointed firefighters are prohibited from transferring between cities and provinces for five years.
The ACRC added, "If more private-sector professionals and specialists are recruited, the expertise at disaster sites and the quality of public service are expected to improve."

spring@fnnews.com Lee Bo-mi Reporter