Gwangju Gwangsan Fire Station, Fire Service Transitions to National Position After 47 Years

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangju Gwangsan Fire Station (Chief Moon Gisik) announced on the 1st that 52,516 local fire officers nationwide, including those in Gwangju Metropolitan City, have been converted to national positions, and the term 'local' will be removed from the rank titles of fire officers.

This marks 47 years since the Local Fire Officers Act was enacted on February 8, 1973, which had divided fire officers into national and local positions. It has been over 8 years since the bill aiming to convert firefighters to national positions was first proposed in 2011.

With the transition to national positions, a system will be established to eliminate regional disparities in firefighting personnel, facilities, and equipment based on city and provincial financial conditions, providing equal firefighting services.

Additionally, the treatment and welfare of fire officers are expected to improve, reducing regional gaps.

In particular, with the conversion to national fire officers, a joint on-site response system transcending jurisdictional boundaries will be established, allowing rapid dispatch from the nearest city or provincial fire station even if it is not the jurisdictional fire station at disaster sites.

Chief Moon Gisik said, “I thank everyone who worked hard for the conversion of fire officers to national positions,” and added, “We will continue to do our best to provide high-quality firefighting services to protect the lives and property of the people from various disasters.”