Firefighter with full-body burns from explosion... Why a caregiver cannot be hired

Dispatched to the Scene, Both Hands Injured, Difficult to Eat Alone
Government Support Far Insufficient Compared to Reality

It has been reported that firefighters and police officers who suffered full-body burns while extinguishing the fire during the bathhouse explosion accident in Dong-gu, Busan last September are facing difficulties due to insufficient nursing care support funds.

According to an SBS report on the 14th, firefighter Kang was dispatched to the scene during the bathhouse explosion fire accident and sustained second-degree burns on his face, both arms, and legs, and has been hospitalized for treatment for over two months.

According to an SBS report on the 14th, firefighter Kang Mo was dispatched to the scene during the bathhouse explosion fire accident and suffered second-degree burns on his face, both arms, and legs. He has been hospitalized for treatment for over two months.
[Photo by SBS]

The accident occurred at an old bathhouse facility that was approved for use 23 years ago. After the fuel tank in the boiler room exploded, firefighters and police officers who responded to the fire report attempted to extinguish the fire, but a larger secondary explosion occurred 20 minutes later.

As a result of this accident, a total of 21 people, including 10 firefighters, 3 police officers, the Dong-gu Busan district mayor, public officials, and citizens present at the scene, sustained various injuries.

In particular, firefighter Kang injured both hands, making it difficult for him to eat or wash by himself, so he needs assistance but is unable to hire a caregiver due to practical reasons.

The daily wage for a caregiver is 150,000 KRW, but government support is only 55,950 KRW per day

The accident occurred at an old bathhouse facility that had been approved for use 23 years ago. After the fuel tank in the boiler room exploded, firefighters and police who responded to the fire report began extinguishing the fire, and a larger secondary explosion occurred 20 minutes later.
[Photo by SBS]

According to the Public Officials' Accident Compensation Act, the nursing care fee that firefighter Kang can receive is 55,950 KRW. However, the actual daily wage for a caregiver is 150,000 KRW, so the difference must be fully borne by him. In Kang’s case, he is raising four children ranging from a high school senior to elementary school students, so hiring a caregiver or having his wife take care of him is a financial burden.

Police officer Kim, who also sustained burns in the same accident and whose hands are stuck together, is in a similar situation. Due to these difficulties, the chairpersons of the workplace councils of 16 police stations in Busan posted a message on the police internal network saying, "Please help our colleagues fighting the fire," and started fundraising. It is known that only after the National Police Agency chief promised full support for treatment and nursing care costs were they able to ease the financial burden.

The nursing care payment standards under the Public Officials' Accident Compensation Act have not changed since the revision in 2010, and calls for system improvement are growing louder.