President Lee Jae-myung stated on October 19 that the government will implement effective measures to ensure the safety of firefighters.
In a post on social media, President Lee expressed his condolences to a firefighter who was injured while responding to a factory fire in Bucheon, saying, "I feel deep regret for the serious injuries sustained by the firefighter while protecting the public. It pains me to think about the difficult and painful time you are going through."
He shared an article highlighting how citizens cleared the way for the swift transport of the injured firefighter to the hospital, noting that the firefighter's wife expressed gratitude to the citizens. "I understand that his wife is also a firefighter. It is even more touching that she conveyed her appreciation to the citizens despite the circumstances," he wrote. "I extend my heartfelt condolences to both of them and sincerely hope for the firefighter's speedy recovery."
President Lee emphasized, "Our ability to enjoy a safe daily life is thanks to the dedication of firefighters who risk their lives to protect the lives and property of the public. Now, the state must also take responsibility for the lives and safety of firefighters."
He called for improvements to on-site manuals to consider firefighter safety, as well as the expansion and modernization of advanced safety equipment such as firefighting robots and multifunctional drones. He also stated that he would review measures to enhance support for firefighters to ensure their safety while performing their duties in hazardous environments.
Finally, he stressed, "We will establish effective measures that can be felt on the ground so that the dedication of firefighters does not end in a tragic 'final call.'"
Earlier, on October 17, President Lee visited the family of the late firefighter Kim Jin-seok, who lost his life while battling the Bucheon factory fire, and stated that it is necessary to strengthen on-site safety so that public safety officials can perform their duties in a safer environment.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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