Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/10/29
By: Chen Chun-hua, Elaine Hou and Joseph Yeh

Taipei, Oct. 29 (CNA) An amendment to the Fire Service Act that cleared the Legislative Yuan on

Tuesday will give firefighters the right to call off dangerous missions for their own safety as they fight fires.

The amendment was passed in response to the death of two young firefighters in Taichung in early October who were killed when trying to put out an early morning blaze in a factory.

It stipulates that firefighters and other rescuers can choose not to carry out a dangerous firefighting mission should they deem that no one is trapped at the scene.

National Fire Agency deputy chief and spokesman Chiang Chi-jen (江濟人) told CNA that the agency already gives firefighters the power to make the final call on whether or not to carry out a mission because they are on the front lines and are most qualified to determine how dangerous a mission is.    [FULL  STORY]