A Heartwarming Encounter with Firefighters
Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung recently shared a touching story about receiving gratitude from firefighters for resolving compensation issues that affected residents during a fire suppression operation. This event took place just two days before Firefighters’ Day, highlighting the deep respect and appreciation between the city’s leaders and its emergency responders.
On the 7th, Mayor Kang posted on his Facebook page, recounting an evening meeting with seven firefighters at a local restaurant. “The day before yesterday, after work, I met seven firefighters at a local restaurant while having a late dinner. As soon as they saw me, they suddenly said, ‘Back then, we were truly grateful,’ and offered me a drink. When I told them I had quit drinking, they brought me a beverage and mentioned ‘that time.’”
The reference to “that time” was a significant moment in January when firefighters faced challenges regarding compensation for repairing a front door they had to forcibly open during a life-saving search at a villa fire in Buk-gu. The incident left the on-site commander dealing with repair cost complaints for over a month.
Resolving the Compensation Issue
Mayor Kang recalled the situation, stating, “Upon hearing the news, I briefly posted on social media (SNS), ‘Firefighters who rush into flames should not have to worry about compensation. The administration will take responsibility.’ After a review by the Loss Compensation Deliberation Committee, the administration compensated for the replacement cost of the damaged front door.”
He emphasized that even now, he believes this action was necessary. “I and the citizens of Gwangju always support the firefighters who are on the front lines of public safety.”
Addressing Property Damage During Firefighting
Earlier this year, the Gwangju Metropolitan Government supported compensation for front doors damaged by firefighters during a forced entry to search for victims at a villa fire site through the loss compensation system.
According to the Gwangju Fire Department, during the fire at a villa in Sinan-dong, Buk-gu, on the morning of January 11, firefighters forcibly opened the front doors of six households with no response. This caused damage to door locks and front doors of each household, resulting in material damage totaling 8 million Korean won.
Material damage caused during firefighting activities is primarily compensated through private fire insurance subscribed by the household where the fire originated. However, in this case, the household head of the initially affected unit died, making compensation difficult.
Navigating Insurance Challenges
It was found that compensation through the administrative liability insurance joined by the Local Government Mutual Aid Association could only be paid if there was “intent or negligence by firefighters during on-site activities.” The insurance company responded to the fire authorities, stating, “It is difficult to assume responsibility for property damage caused during lawful life-saving searches,” which sparked temporary controversy.
In response, the National Fire Agency prepared the ‘Loss Compensation System Guidelines’ in August of this year. The guidelines, developed after reviewing operational cases from fire departments nationwide and consulting experts, established clear compensation standards and procedures. This initiative aims to ensure that firefighters can focus on their critical tasks without worrying about potential financial burdens caused by their actions.