Park Pilsun, Gwangju City Council Member, Holds Discussion on Health Rights of Retired Fire Officers

"Occupational Cancer Occurs More Often After Retirement Than During Service"
"Support for Special Health Checkups Needed... Ordinance Amendment to Be Pursued"

Gwangju City Council member Park Pilsun held a policy discussion on the theme of "Guaranteeing Health Rights for Retired Fire Officers in Gwangju" on the 24th at the City Council Budget and Accounts Committee meeting room. Provided by Gwangju City Council

Park Pilsun, a member of the Gwangju City Council (Democratic Party, Gwangsan District 3), announced on April 25 that she held a policy discussion on the theme of "Guaranteeing Health Rights for Retired Fire Officers in Gwangju" at the City Council Budget and Accounts Committee meeting room on April 24.

This discussion was organized to address health issues faced by retired fire officers, particularly the potential occurrence of occupational cancer, the causal relationship with their duties, and the need for institutional responses to these issues.

Park Sieun, head of research at Dalgutechbulance Lab, explained in her presentation that "fire officers are exposed to various carcinogens for extended periods during firefighting and rescue operations, which puts them at a higher risk of developing cancer compared to the general population."

She particularly emphasized that "occupational cancers, which may manifest years or even decades after exposure, are more likely to be diagnosed after retirement than during active service." She added, "In professions like firefighting, where there is accumulated exposure to various carcinogenic factors, the possibility of occupational cancer must be considered even 10 years or more after retirement."

She further stated, "Cancer among firefighters is a direct consequence of their professional dedication," and argued, "The government and local authorities must provide active support to fire officers who have devoted their lives to protecting the public."

Moon Seongo, head of the Gwangju Fire Department branch of the National Public Officials Union, pointed out, "There are currently no institutional or legal safeguards, nor any health management data, to protect the health of retired fire officers." He stressed, "It is urgent to establish a support system based on basic data collected through health checkups for fire officers within 10 years after retirement."

Park Oksu, senior vice president of the Korea Retired Firefighters Association, emphasized, "The current discussion on supporting health checkups for 10 years after retirement should be extended to 15 years." He added, "Given the long latency period of 30 to 40 years, fire officers who worked in harsh environments must be included."

Chae Eunji, another Gwangju City Council member who participated in the discussion, stated, "Guaranteeing the health rights of fire officers who have dedicated themselves to the safety and lives of citizens is a social responsibility." She added, "The City Council's Administrative and Autonomy Committee will also closely examine ways to improve the relevant systems."

Park Pilsun, who chaired the discussion, said, "Retired fire officers currently only receive general health checkups like the rest of the public, but special health checkups that take into account latency periods are needed." She declared, "To this end, I will push for amendments to the relevant ordinances."

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