Regarding the controversy over a firefighter being personally liable for damages after forcibly opening an entrance door to search for survivors at a recent fire scene in Gwangju, Fire Commissioner Heo Seok-gon stated, "We will compensate from the budget."
Heo Seok-gon, Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, responding to committee questions. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 25th, during the plenary session of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, Democratic Party lawmaker Wi Seong-gon mentioned the incident and questioned, "Should firefighters be responsible for compensation? Shouldn't this issue be improved?" Commissioner Heo responded, "That is not the case."
Heo explained, "Compensation is provided through proper budget allocation, and if insufficient, we can use contingency funds to adequately compensate through the Fire Agency." He added, "According to the Fire Services Act, fair compensation must be provided when losses occur due to lawful firefighting activities, and local governments allocate a certain amount in their budgets." He further confirmed, "I have verified that a budget of 10 million won has been allocated for the Gwangju area."
The Fire Agency stated, "It is not true that fire stations or individual firefighters bear the cost of loss compensation," and added, "The government and local governments establish legal and institutional grounds and actively support firefighters financially to ensure smooth firefighting operations."
According to the Fire Agency, each local government allocates an annual loss compensation budget considering the conditions and characteristics of their firefighting activities. This year, the total loss compensation budget allocated by 17 cities and provinces nationwide amounts to 205.3 million won. Specifically, 20 million won for Seoul, 39.8 million won for Incheon, 25 million won for Gyeonggi, 20 million won for Jeonnam, and 10 million won each for Busan and Gwangju have been secured.
The Fire Agency also conveyed that if the loss compensation amount exceeds the annual budget, the payment deadline can be extended through consultation with the claimant, or compensation can be made using contingency funds.
A fire broke out last month on the 11th at a villa in Buk-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Gwangju Northern Fire Station
Earlier, on the 11th of last month, firefighters dispatched to a fire on the second floor of a villa in Buk-gu, Gwangju, forcibly opened the entrance doors of six households while evacuating residents. Subsequently, some residents demanded compensation from the fire authorities for damage to the doors and locks, sparking controversy. When it became known that the fire authorities who conducted the rescue operations were in a position to pay repair costs, Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung announced on the 24th, "The administration will take responsibility." Additionally, inquiries from citizens wishing to donate for the repair costs flooded in.
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