Jang Dong-hyeok: “Just over 10% of the fire service budget comes from national funds; national responsibility must be strengthened”

[Financial News] People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok said on the 27th that he would expand national funding for the fire service budget and work to replace aging firefighting equipment.
At the “Dialogue with Firefighters for Safer Workplaces” held at the National Assembly that day, Jang said, “Starting with next year’s budget, I’ll examine things one by one, increase national funding sufficiently, and make sure we replace the aging equipment first.”
He noted, “It has already been six years since firefighters became national civil servants, yet national funds account for just over 10% of the fire service budget,” adding, “Nearly 40% of aging equipment is past its replacement date.” He also promised to expand research and institutional support for firefighters’ safety, and strengthen support for firefighters injured in accidents and their bereaved families.
Im Lee-ja, chair of the policy committee, also said that next year’s budget proposal would prioritize increased funding for providing advanced safety equipment, replacing aging equipment, and improving firefighters’ working conditions.
Hong Soon-tak, chair of the National Fire Safety Public Officials’ Labor Union, who attended that day, called for stronger national responsibility for fire service funding, more personnel in the field, and greater recognition and support for firefighters who died in the line of duty and their bereaved families.
Shin Dong-geun, chair of the FKTU Federation of Public Officials’ Unions, took aim at Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae’s remark about a “straw” in fire service funding, saying, “No politician should politically belittle firefighters’ hard work or sacrifice, or speak carelessly about them.”

[email protected] Kim Kyung-min Reporter