Decision to Establish Guidelines at the Fire Agency Level
The fact that the meal cost per serving for firefighters is only in the 3,000 won range has become a hot topic, sparking controversy over 'inadequate meals,' and the National Fire Agency is set to improve the meal environment.
Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, visited the Hwaseong Fire Station in Gyeonggi to serve a nourishing meal on the tvN show 'Baekpacker 2'. [Image source=tvN 'Baekpacker 2' capture]
On the 20th, the National Fire Agency announced that it held a central-provincial firefighting policy coordination meeting the previous day to discuss the current status of meal support and improvement measures. Earlier, at the National Fire Agency's audit held at the National Assembly on the 10th, the controversy over 'inadequate meals for firefighters' was raised. According to data received by Han Byung-do, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, from the National Fire Agency, the meal cost per serving at a certain fire station in Daegu was only 3,112 won. There were also places where the meal cost was 3,852 won (Gyeongnam) and 3,920 won (Jeonbuk). Netizens criticized by comparing it to prison meals previously disclosed by the Ministry of Justice, saying, "Firefighters are eating worse than criminals."
Earlier in June, Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, visited Hwaseong Fire Station in Gyeonggi Province on the tvN variety show 'Baekpacker 2' to serve a nutritious meal. Before starting the cooking, Baek checked the kitchen facilities and existing menu and expressed regret, saying, "It is too poor for firefighters who have a high level of physical activity to eat." When Baek asked, "Is the support fund very low?" the nutritionist lamented, "It is fixed at 4,000 won per meal. There is no additional support fund."
Morning meal on September 26 at a fire station in Ulsan. [Image source=Office of Assemblyman Han Byung-do, Democratic Party of Korea]
The reason why meal costs differ by region is that the ordinances supporting budgets vary by city and province. Some regions do not have such ordinances. Therefore, the National Fire Agency decided to clarify the meal cost per person and the standard number of meals for on-site personnel, and to establish guidelines at the agency level to secure sufficient labor costs and other expenses.
In addition, for provincial fire headquarters currently operating mutual aid systems, the agency plans to ensure soundness and transparency through on-site inspections and to gather field opinions to prepare reasonable measures so that no employees suffer losses.
Ha Seok-gon, Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, emphasized, "Although there may be differences depending on regional conditions, we will actively strive to ensure that support necessary for firefighting activities is provided without shortage through policy and institutional backing at the central level," adding, "We will promote effective, field-centered policies through sufficient discussions with cities and provinces on major issues."
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