Firefighters' Union Demands 3-Shift System for All Staff and Additional Ambulance Deployment

All Firefighters Work in 3 Shifts 1 Team... Monthly Special Leave Granted to Ambulance Crew to Relieve Fatigue Due to COVID-19

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The Korea Federation of Trade Unions Public Officials Union National Fire Safety Labor Union (Chairman Hong Suntak) held a meeting with the National Fire Agency on the 23rd, demanding improvements in the treatment of firefighters, including the implementation of a full 3-shift, 1-team work system for all firefighters and the granting of a special monthly leave to relieve fatigue among paramedics due to COVID-19.

The union demanded ▲ the expansion of the 3-shift, 1-team system for all staff and delegation of authority over the 3-shift, 1-team work system to headquarters chiefs or station chiefs ▲ additional deployment of ambulances and personnel reinforcement at local direct control centers, and additional ambulances at centers with a high number of paramedic dispatches in the metropolitan area ▲ granting of a special monthly leave to relieve fatigue among paramedics due to COVID-19 ▲ improvement of the method of purchasing uniforms for firefighters under the supervision of the National Fire Agency ▲ improvement of the fire inspection system (refraining from inspection activities on weekends, holidays, and after 6 p.m. on weekdays) ▲ and improvement of tactical training evaluations (changing evaluators from office workers to on-site commanders or center chiefs).

Hong Suntak, chairman of the Firefighters' Union, said, “It has been five months since the National Fire Agency discussed with union chairpersons on July 28 about improving working conditions for firefighters, developing fire services, and forming labor-management consultative bodies, but communication between the National Fire Agency and the union has remained stagnant. We opened this meeting to express regret and to pledge closer cooperation to work hard on institutional improvements.”

Kim Taewon, senior vice chairman (Chairman of the Gyeongbuk Headquarters), stated, “We demanded improvements to ensure transparent contracts through bidding when purchasing uniforms, and that inspections be conducted during regular working hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays with prior notice.”

In response, a National Fire Agency official said, “Except during special alert duty periods and periods of strengthened public service discipline, we will implement an inspection notice system and conduct inspections during regular working hours.”

The union also requested improvements in the method of writing work logs and exchanges of fire officers at the rank of fire captain or higher between provinces. A National Fire Agency official responded, “We are reviewing ways to simplify work logs and are currently revising laws related to exchanges of fire officers at the rank of fire captain or higher between provinces.”

Shin Donggang, chairman of the Chungbuk Headquarters, said, “We requested that tactical training evaluations be conducted by on-site commanders or center chiefs rather than office workers.”

In response, a National Fire Agency official said, “The law related to tactical training evaluations is being revised, and from next year, we will switch to an absolute evaluation system.”

Hwang Seonwoo, vice chairman (Chairman of the Gyeonggi Headquarters), said that a survey conducted among Gyeonggi-do firefighters showed a high preference for the 3-shift, 1-team work system and demanded its prompt implementation. The National Fire Agency replied, “We will strive to improve based on the results of surveys and research on work methods conducted in 2022.”

Woo Namcheol, chairman of the Gangwon Headquarters, said, “Gangwon-do is generally implementing the 3-shift, 1-team work system, and employee response is positive, so active consideration by the National Fire Agency is necessary.”

Park Seokho, secretary general, said, “The Korea Federation of Trade Unions Firefighters' Union secured 200 million KRW through National Assembly projects for the basic plan and feasibility study costs for building a mental and physical training center for firefighters, in addition to the agenda of the consultative council, to improve firefighters' treatment. He emphasized the importance of communication between the Firefighters' Union and the National Fire Agency to secure organization and budget issues for firefighters' welfare and rights through National Assembly projects in cooperation with the National Fire Agency.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.