Fire Commissioner Choi Yong-cheol: "Comprehensive Organizational Culture Reform Measures on the 21st... Wrongdoing Will Be Addressed Regardless of Rank"

[Financial News] The National Fire Agency is moving to eliminate wrongdoing within the organization following the death of a female firefighter in Gwangju who had complained of workplace bullying. As its first step, it will announce the “Comprehensive Measures for Reforming the Fire Service’s Organizational Culture” on the 21st.
National Fire Agency Commissioner Choi Yong-cheol held his first press briefing since taking office at the Government Complex Sejong on the 14th. He said, "The National Fire Agency is conducting the final work on the measures after comprehensively analyzing employee surveys, anonymous reports, and feedback from the field."
The comprehensive measures were launched following the death of a female firefighter at Gwangju Gwangsan Fire Station in October last year. A subsequent organizational culture assessment of firefighters nationwide found that some had experienced wrongdoing within the organization, including demeaning treatment, over the previous year. The survey also found that seven out of 10 firefighters who had experienced such wrongdoing were unable to raise the issue.
Commissioner Choi said, "Rather than allowing this to end as a one-time campaign, we focused on correcting the improper practices that remain within the organization and creating a fair and healthy organizational culture that members can genuinely feel." He added, "We will respond firmly, based on strict principles, to abuse of power, improper orders, workplace bullying, and various forms of misconduct. We will also strengthen the NFA’s central inspection function, anonymous reporting system, and whistleblower protection framework." The personnel system will also be reorganized around evaluations of ability, performance, character, and leadership.
Commissioner Choi also outlined plans to strengthen field response and commander training, saying, "We will build a 119 emergency number service that stays true to the basics, is strong in the field, and earns the public’s trust."
The field-response system will establish the core sequence of “declaration of command authority—situation assessment—strategy and tactics—deployment decision” under the slogan “ground combat.” It will be incorporated into the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and applied to education and training. Commissioner Choi emphasized, "As important as saving the public is ensuring that the personnel deployed to the scene safely complete their missions and return home."
The training and verification system for commanders will also be strengthened. The policy administrator course for those promoted to fire service superintendent will be expanded from the current four weeks to 24 weeks and fully implemented beginning in January 2027. Those promoted to fire service superintendent will receive their assignments after completing six months of specialized training. Certification training for commanders at each rank will also be expanded in stages through 10 ICTC command competency enhancement centers nationwide.
The NFA aims to begin in March 2027 evaluating fire service deputy chief superintendent candidates on organizational management, communication, strategic planning, coordination, and collaboration, and to use the results in personnel management. Beginning in the first half of 2027, a stress-prevention course will be added to the basic training curriculum for new firefighters. The relevant training will be mandatory so that new firefighter trainees can prepare in advance for traumatic disaster scenes and the resulting post-traumatic stress.
Commissioner Choi pledged, "We will correct improper practices and build a fire service organization that both the public and its members can trust."
[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter