In response to growing concern over firefighter deaths while on duty over the past few years, the Interior Ministry developed a policy package to enhance safety for firefighting services. On Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said the Cabinet has approved 22 medium-term plans to gradually strengthen firefighter security.
The National Fire Agency (NFA) will implement seven major policies for strengthening public safety, ensuring occupational safety, increasing manpower, restocking equipment, replacing old vehicles, improving facilities, and enhancing training programs. The entire project has amassed a funding of NT$26 billion (US$804 million).
The Cabinet also approved a series of draft amendments to the Fire Services Act on Thursday. In order to strengthen disaster risk management, the clauses encourage whistleblowers to report illegal activities and expand the scope of those responsible for incidents to include all working on site. The clauses also stipulate fines between NT$20,000 (US$618) and NT$300,000 (US$9,276) for those who fail to comply with the latest fire safety regulations.
Cho said that these changes will allow firefighters to better provide disaster relief, creating safer work environments not only for the public, but also for the firefighters on site.