Firefighters complain about air conditioning restrictions; Fire Agency orders local departments to allow reasonable use

The National Fire Agency stated today that in response to media reports about local firefighters being restricted from using air conditioning, it has issued a letter to all local fire bureaus, instructing them to allow frontline personnel to appropriately use air conditioning and other equipment. The agency emphasized that while it supports reasonable energy conservation and equipment optimization, frontline firefighters work 24-hour shifts and must be ready to respond to emergencies at any time. Therefore, the appropriate use of air conditioning, heating, and rest spaces during high-temperature periods is crucial for their health, safety, and operational effectiveness. Regarding reports that some fire stations were restricting air conditioning or requiring firefighters to pay for electricity, the agency stated it would investigate the actual situation and that necessary environmental costs for standby and rest should not be passed on to frontline staff. The agency also stated it would not tolerate any retaliation or unreasonable management measures against those who raised the issue. Regarding reports from Taichung, the agency noted that the city has replaced high-energy-consuming water heaters with gas ones to optimize equipment.