President Lee Jae-myung emphasized the limitations of independent research and development (R&D) for firefighting equipment on November 9, urging for stronger collaboration with the defense sector. He shared a lunch with on-site firefighters to discuss working conditions and challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
After attending the 64th Fire Day ceremony in Sejong City, President Lee inspected various firefighting vehicles displayed outdoors, including unmanned fire suppression vehicles, high-performance chemical trucks, wildfire suppression vehicles, and tracked smoke evacuation robots.
After checking the heat resistance of the equipment, President Lee asked Choi Yong-cheol, the head of the National Fire Agency, about the budget for next year's firefighting equipment R&D. When Choi mentioned a total of 65 billion won, President Lee pointed out the limitations of independent R&D and suggested the need for joint research with the Defense Science Research Institute.
Choi explained that collaborative research with relevant ministries is underway, focusing on developing lightweight and heat-resistant firefighting gear using coating and nanotechnology. President Lee urged him to proceed with the discussions effectively.
President Lee also reviewed the national distribution status of firefighting equipment. Upon learning that 44 unmanned fire suppression vehicles are in operation nationwide, he inquired if that meant there are only 44 in total. He was informed that there are eight high-performance chemical trucks and 60 wildfire suppression vehicles deployed across the country. He also examined the functions of the tracked smoke evacuation robots used for electric vehicle fires.
Following the inspections, President Lee moved to a restaurant in Sejong City for a lunch meeting with seven firefighters, including rescue workers and emergency management personnel who have worked in domestic and international disaster sites.
According to a written briefing by Chief Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong, Choi shared during lunch that firefighters are experiencing PTSD and depression. He noted that 15 firefighters died by suicide last year, and seven have done so this year, highlighting the high suicide rate among uniformed personnel. President Lee listened attentively to this information.
President Lee mentioned that he has friends who are firefighters and asked why they are reluctant to work in headquarters. The attendees responded that they prefer fieldwork over administrative tasks. They also discussed job structures related to rescue, firefighting, emergency medical services, prevention, and communication, as well as the automatic promotion system.
Among the attendees was Kim Man-jong, a firefighter who has served for 36 years and is nearing retirement, and Park Jeong-min, who saved the life of a 50-day-old infant by guiding CPR via video call after receiving a cardiac arrest report. President Lee expressed gratitude for the dedication of firefighters, which has contributed to reducing casualties.
Earlier, President Lee greeted the families of fallen firefighters as he left the ceremony. Jo Saetbyeol, the spouse of the late firefighter Sim Mun-kyu, who died during a rescue operation in the Han River in Gimpo in 2018 while Lee was governor of Gyeonggi Province, was also present.
Jo recounted how President Lee delivered a eulogy at the funeral and attempted to assist in finding employment for her, but she was unable to accept due to caring for her twin children.
After the equipment inspection, President Lee took a commemorative photo with trainees from the Gyeongbuk Fire School and with firefighters born in 2005 and 2006 who became firefighters immediately after graduating high school. At the end of the lunch, when one attendee asked President Lee about suggestions, he humorously responded, "I want to take a selfie," prompting laughter. President Lee concluded the meeting by taking commemorative photos with the attendees, as reported by Chief Spokesperson Kang.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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