NAFR blames system for the deaths of 19 firefighters over last two years

On February 4, following a blaze that claimed the lives of six firefighters in Taoyuan, the National Association for Firefighters’ Rights (NAFR) protested outside the Ministry of the Interior in Taipei. NAFR secretary-general Cheng Ya-lin (鄭雅菱) said that although fires had decreased over the last two years, casualties of firefighters over the same period had increased. Cheng added that “the system, not fires” was to blame for the 19 deaths. 

Cheng demanded that the National Fire Agency (消防署) puts forward plans to safeguard the lives of firefighters, including the implementation of a more comprehensive system in the areas of manpower and equipment. Cheng added that donations would not resolve the problem, and that the Ministry of the Interior must not only ensure the National Fire Agency allocates a sufficient budget and establishes a comprehensive set of legal stipulations for firefighters, but also that it requests a commitment from senior officials in cities and counties around the country to three main areas: strengthening firefighting manpower; improving fire rescue equipment; and reviewing standard operating procedures. 

Sadly, of the 22 regions in Taiwan, only 5 replied with a promise of their commitment to the three main areas; these included Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦), Changhua County Commissioner Wei Ming-ku (魏明谷), Yunlin County Commissioner Li Chin-yung (李進勇), Hualien County Commissioner Fu Kun-chi (傅崑萁) and Penghu County Commissioner Chen Guang-fu (陳光復). 

NAFR president Yang Shih-wei (楊適瑋) said the deaths of 19 firefighters indicated insufficient manpower and equipment, as well as many flaws in the system. With painted bloodstained sheets draped over their bodies, supporters of NAFR formed themselves into the Chinese characters for “man-made disaster” outside the Legislative Yuan, while shouting "the system is killing firefighters, authorities provide immediate reforms" and other demands.

NAFR blames system for the deaths of 19 firefighters over last two years 

URL:https://www.peopo.org/news/267513

(以下是中文對照)

2年19消防員殉職 消防員工作權益促進會批：制度殺人

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上月桃園新屋火災致6名消防員殉職。消防員工作權益促進會於2月4日到立法院外抗議，消防員工作權益促進會秘書長鄭雅菱表示，過去2年以來火災次數不斷下降，但消防員殉職人數卻不斷攀升，已有19位消防員殉職，「不是因為火場，而是因為體制殺人」。
 
鄭雅菱希望消防署，能提出保衛消防員生命的報告，人力、裝備都需要建設更完善的制度，不是靠捐獻就能解決問題；更呼籲立法院要監督消防署編列足夠的預算，並建立完整的消防人事法條；並要求各縣市首長承諾，補足消防人力、改善消防裝備及檢討搶救標準作業規範等3項訴求。
 
但現場公佈22個縣市首長回覆進度，卻只有桃園市長鄭文燦、彰化縣長魏明谷、雲林縣長李進勇、花蓮長傅崑箕及澎湖縣長陳光復等5名縣市首長承諾履行3大消防訴求。
 
消防員工作權益促進會理事長楊適瑋表示，19名消防員的殉職代表人力不足、裝備不夠以外，存在的更多是制度方面的問題。聲援消防員工作權益促進會的民衆披著染紅血的白布在立法院前排下「人、禍」2字，並高喊，「制度殺人、消防枉死、中央地方、立即改革」等訴求。