President Moon Jae-in (left) delivers words of encouragement to firefighters on the 55th anniversary of Firefighters Day at the Fire Service Academy in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do Province, on Nov. 3.
By Yoon Sojung
Photos Hyoja-dong Studio
President Moon Jae-in on Nov. 3 praised firefighters’ devotion and endeavors during a ceremony to mark the 55th anniversary of Firefighters’ Day at the Fire Service Academy in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do Province.
“This is the first Firefighters’ Day we mark since the National Fire Agency became an independent government organization this year,” said President Moon.
He said that the National Fire Agency should thoroughly protect the safety of the citizens from various types of natural and social disasters.
“Firefighters are the hands of the government that first reach out to those who sit on the verge of life or death,” said President Moon, asking firefighters to have pride and a sense of duty.
After paying tribute to the memorial designed for firefighters who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, President Moon said, “The lack of a workforce among firefighters threatens the safety of citizens, as well as their own safety.”
“The government will hire 1,500 new firefighters and will recruit more to fill the vacancies by 2022,” said the president. He also said that the country will work hard to improve the overall work environment and treatment of firefighters by carrying out related measures, including establishing a comprehensive treatment and care center and a new hospital for firefighters, and transforming firefighters’ job as an official national position.
President Moon also urged the fire agency to reveal its weaknesses in order to make improvements, as the citizens all trust it.
He urged the National Fire Agency to set up a systematic response capability for large-scale disasters and for remote areas, such as farming or fishing villages where ambulances cannot reach. The president also urged the agency to expand the 119 safety telephone service for patients who are aged over 65.
President Moon asked the firefighters to be prepared for the upcoming PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
“I hope all of you can do your best so that the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games can be hosted in a safe manner” said the president.
“Your invisible sweat will be the foundation for the successful hosting of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said President Moon.
President Moon Jae-in poses for a photo with firefighters on the 55th anniversary of Firefighters Day at the Fire Service Academy in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do Province, on Nov. 3.
President Moon Jae-in (second from left) poses for a photo with actress Han Ji-min (left) and actor Jung Woo-sung (third from left) after appointing them as honorary firefighters, on the 55th anniversary of Firefighters Day at the Fire Service Academy in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do Province, on Nov. 3.
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