(Unofficial Translation)

It’s very fortunate that I have been able to honor every promise made to you one after the other, such as establishing the national fire service hospital now under construction and hiring an additional 20,000 firefighters.

But those are not the reasons that I’ve come here today. We have recently had record-breaking heat waves. This string of hot spells has surely caused you tremendous hardships. Your jobs are inherently very grueling and dangerous, and the recent heat waves are adding greatly to your burdens. However, thanks to your hard work, many patients with heat-related illnesses can be quickly transported to hospitals for essential care. Also, people living in substandard, low-rent housing or at high elevations where water pressure is low as well as livestock farmers – those vulnerable to heat waves – have received vital supplies of water. As such, our firefighters are playing an immense role in protecting the people’s safety and lives from heat wave damage. I am truly grateful to you all.

On top of that, firefighters are also playing a huge role in our response to COVID-19. You are working extremely hard on so many things like supporting quarantine services at airports and epidemic prevention and control as well as swiftly transporting confirmed or suspected cases for necessary treatment and even those who suffer adverse effects after being vaccinated.

I heard a particular story that was very heartwarming recently. Whereas the screening stations are sufficiently equipped with heating and cooling systems, the temporary ones must operate under adverse conditions. The workers staffing these temporary facilities during the heat waves could only pitch tents for some shade. We provided them ice vests, ice packs, portable air conditioners, electric fans and a lot of other support, but it was not sufficient. Under these circumstances, the National Fire Agency deployed some of the “recovery buses” used by their on-duty firefighters. Sending these air-conditioned resting stations to frontline workers fighting COVID-19 in sweltering heat greatly comforted and touched them. Foreign media are also giving this high praise, calling it yet another part of Korea’s response to COVID-19. I find it to be very creative thinking. With the National Fire Agency having taken on such a leading role, the police also sent some vehicles normally used to shelter their on-duty units, and local governments are offering a variety of air-conditioned vehicles as well. These vehicles allow the personnel manning temporary screening stations to take some breaks occasionally during their efforts to combat the epidemic.
 
When the hot weather returns, you might even be called on to remove hives as bees are prone to cause more harm. If typhoons and heavy downpours hit us going forward, you will have to combat the resultant diseases while conducting rescue work and emergency care. Though all of these might be arduous, I hope you will do your best to protect the health and safety of our people up to the very end of your missions. In the process, your own health should also be fully safeguarded. A moment ago, I was shown a variety of equipment to stave off the heat, and it is vital that they be properly used out in the field. When dispatched on rescue missions, you have no choice but to go out in the heat. However, when it comes to education or training at fire stations, all outdoor instruction should be prohibited and replaced with indoor programs whenever severe heat warnings have been issued. In addition, I hope efforts are made to give firefighters enough time to rest.
 
All of the career firefighters have been reclassified as civil servants under the Central Government. Following this, the Government has been making great efforts to improve our firefighters’ working conditions and treatment. However, I believe you may still feel unsatisfied as much remains to be done. The Government will do all it can to provide support so that you can work in a better environment and enhance your capabilities. Let’s pull together to build a safer Republic of Korea.
 
Thank you.