Fire Loss Compensation Amounts Increase Steadily Over the Last Three Years

It has been reported that the 'loss compensation amount' for damages incurred by claimants due to the lawful activities of firefighters deployed to disaster sites is increasing every year.

On the 11th, JoongAng Ilbo reported that the fire loss compensation amount over the last three years rose from 44.34 million won in 2022 to 114.85 million won in 2023, and 133.79 million won last year.

According to the report, most of the fire loss compensation amounts were for repair costs of apartment entry doors and locks that were damaged during fire suppression and rescue, followed by repair costs for car windows that were forcibly broken for fire suppression and recovery costs associated with fire equipment entering farmland.

Under the current Fire Services Basic Act, damages caused by negligence of firefighters during fire suppression are classified as 'loss compensation' for property damage resulting from lawful firefighting activities, and 'damages compensation' for losses caused by negligence of firefighters.

The 'loss compensation amount' is a system revised in 2017 to prevent firefighters deployed to various disaster sites from feeling discouraged.

Accordingly, the Fire Agency and 17 cities and provinces nationwide conduct appropriate compensation for citizens who suffer damage due to the lawful activities of firefighters through the review process of the Loss Compensation Deliberation Committee based on the disaster situation.

The key differentiating factor between 'loss compensation' and 'damages compensation' is 'liability'. Claimants can only receive loss compensation if they have no responsibility related to the cause of the loss.

There are instances where private fire insurance coverage is impossible, or claimants pass their compensation responsibilities onto the fire department and local governments due to financial circumstances.

In fact, the fire department compensated 1.95 million won for front door repair costs for an arsonist who was arrested last year, and 270,000 won for repairing a door lock that was damaged while rescuing a suicide attempt victim.

However, the Fire Agency stated that in cases like arson or fire where personal responsibility is clear, they can seek reimbursement through subrogation claims later.

Additionally, if a suicide attempt victim claims loss compensation for the damaged door lock, it is often rejected by the Loss Compensation Deliberation Committee as the victim is considered to have provided the 'cause' for the rescue operation.

A representative from the Fire Agency emphasized, "It is not true that fire loss compensation is borne by the fire station or the individual firefighters."

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