Firefighters Say, “We Want Protection of Our Right to Survive, Not to Be Called Heroes”... Appeal at the National Assembly Ahead of Fire Service Day

[Financial News]"We want to live, not die—hire more firefighters!" "Establish a stable firefighting system and secure the firefighting budget!"Ahead of Fire Service Day on November 9, firefighters gathered in front of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. They raised their voices, insisting that the government must take a more active role in ensuring the safety of firefighters to protect not only their own lives but also the safety of the public.
On the afternoon of the 5th, the Fire Headquarters of the Korean Government Employees' Union held a press conference on the steps in front of the main building of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, stating, "We strongly demand that the safety of frontline firefighters and the innovation of the firefighting organization be made a national agenda," and added, "President Lee Jae Myung should personally listen to the voices of frontline firefighters and closely examine their hardships and realities."
Every year, November 9 is designated as Fire Service Day. This legal commemorative day, now in its 63rd year, was established to honor the dedication of firefighters who work to prevent fires and protect lives. However, as Fire Service Day approaches, firefighters are not seeking praise as 'heroes' but are instead making urgent appeals for the government to guarantee their right to survive.
At the press conference, the Fire Headquarters of the Korean Government Employees' Union stated, "Firefighters enter disaster zones every day to protect the lives of the public. However, in the process, many colleagues are exposed to severe physical and psychological risks, and some even make tragic decisions to end their own lives. Despite this, systematic government support for the suffering of firefighters remains insufficient."
They continued, "The scale and risk of disasters are increasing day by day, but the number of personnel deployed on the ground is severely lacking. If staffing and systematic support do not keep pace with these increasingly difficult circumstances, the lives and safety of both the public and firefighters will be seriously threatened."
Accordingly, they called on the government to: △ establish measures for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), △ increase firefighting personnel, △ secure the firefighting budget, and △ resolve the issue of emergency room delays.
Kwon Young-gak, head of the Fire Headquarters of the Korean Government Employees' Union, stated, "Over the past ten years, 134 firefighters have taken their own lives. Firefighters accumulate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, and irregular sleep from disasters and emergency responses. The government must establish systems and budgets so that these individuals can receive treatment and do not have to resort to such tragic choices."
He also said, "While the private sector strictly enforces a 52-hour workweek, firefighters are forced to work up to 72 hours a week simply because they are public officials. To reduce working hours, a four-shift system must be fully implemented through increased staffing."
Lee Hae-jun, chair of the Fire Headquarters of the Korean Government Employees' Union, also urged the Lee Jae Myung administration to prioritize substantial personnel increases, fair payment of allowances for rescue and emergency activities, and improvements to safety equipment and working conditions. He emphasized, "The government must no longer turn a blind eye and must legally and institutionally ensure the establishment of specialized healing facilities and long-term protective measures for firefighters."
welcome@fnnews.com Jang Yoo-ha Reporter