Pingtung Councilor Points Out Firefighters Still Pay for Air Conditioning; County Magistrate Promises Exemption
Pingtung County Councilor Liang Yu-tzu questioned that firefighters are still required to pay for air conditioning while on duty. County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi responded by promising to improve the system and ensure personnel no longer have to pay.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 14:41
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 14:53 (12 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 10, 2026 at 14:54 (1 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporter Huang Yu-ching, Pingtung County, 10th) Democratic Progressive Party Pingtung County Councilor Liang Yu-tzu today questioned during a council session that firefighters are still required to bear the cost of air conditioning while on duty, urging the county government to plan improvements. Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi stated that the relevant system will be improved and that personnel will no longer be asked to pay.
Councilor Liang questioned, noting that various counties and cities have successively revealed the issue of firefighters having to pay for air conditioning out of their own pockets while on duty. "How can it be that our colleagues still have to pay out of their own pockets?" she asked, demanding that the county government plan to ensure firefighters no longer have to bear the cost of air conditioning.
Magistrate Chou responded, stating that firefighters shoulder the important task of disaster relief and rescue, and their working hours differ from those of regular civil servants, operating on a one-day-on, one-day-off system. She acknowledged that having fire bureau branch personnel bear the electricity costs is an area that needs improvement. She emphasized, "We will no longer let our colleagues bear the electricity costs. We will further improve the relevant system."
Magistrate Chou said that currently, when the fire bureau budgets electricity costs for each branch, it estimates NT$1,000 per person for winter and NT$1,100 for summer. She also mentioned that during an inspection, she noted that some branches have old, power-hungry air conditioners. Following recent attention and feedback from various sectors, the fire bureau will replace approximately 20 old, non-inverter air conditioners that have been in use for over 17 years.
Magistrate Chou stated that the county government will no longer have grassroots personnel pay, but branches must also practice energy conservation in their management. Using the county government as an example, she noted that the workday ends at 5:00 PM, and the air conditioning is turned off 30 minutes prior. She said the county will comprehensively review how to achieve better energy savings. The county government will also support the funds needed for replacing air conditioners and adjusting branch spaces.
The Facebook fan page "Fire God Tablet" recently pointed out that firefighters across Taiwan face varying degrees of restrictions on air conditioning use. In Pingtung, the situation involves firefighters paying for air conditioning electricity costs that exceed the office budget, a situation that had not improved since the previous council session.
The National Fire Agency sent a letter to all fire agencies at the end of May, emphasizing that the necessary environmental costs for firefighters' standby, rest, and operational safety should not be passed on to grassroots personnel. It stated that when promoting energy-saving and facility management measures, the特殊性 of firefighting duties should be fully considered to ensure it does not affect firefighters' basic living, health and safety, or disaster relief and rescue effectiveness. If any improper management situations are found, immediate improvements will be required. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150610
Councilor Liang questioned, noting that various counties and cities have successively revealed the issue of firefighters having to pay for air conditioning out of their own pockets while on duty. "How can it be that our colleagues still have to pay out of their own pockets?" she asked, demanding that the county government plan to ensure firefighters no longer have to bear the cost of air conditioning.
Magistrate Chou responded, stating that firefighters shoulder the important task of disaster relief and rescue, and their working hours differ from those of regular civil servants, operating on a one-day-on, one-day-off system. She acknowledged that having fire bureau branch personnel bear the electricity costs is an area that needs improvement. She emphasized, "We will no longer let our colleagues bear the electricity costs. We will further improve the relevant system."
Magistrate Chou said that currently, when the fire bureau budgets electricity costs for each branch, it estimates NT$1,000 per person for winter and NT$1,100 for summer. She also mentioned that during an inspection, she noted that some branches have old, power-hungry air conditioners. Following recent attention and feedback from various sectors, the fire bureau will replace approximately 20 old, non-inverter air conditioners that have been in use for over 17 years.
Magistrate Chou stated that the county government will no longer have grassroots personnel pay, but branches must also practice energy conservation in their management. Using the county government as an example, she noted that the workday ends at 5:00 PM, and the air conditioning is turned off 30 minutes prior. She said the county will comprehensively review how to achieve better energy savings. The county government will also support the funds needed for replacing air conditioners and adjusting branch spaces.
The Facebook fan page "Fire God Tablet" recently pointed out that firefighters across Taiwan face varying degrees of restrictions on air conditioning use. In Pingtung, the situation involves firefighters paying for air conditioning electricity costs that exceed the office budget, a situation that had not improved since the previous council session.
The National Fire Agency sent a letter to all fire agencies at the end of May, emphasizing that the necessary environmental costs for firefighters' standby, rest, and operational safety should not be passed on to grassroots personnel. It stated that when promoting energy-saving and facility management measures, the特殊性 of firefighting duties should be fully considered to ensure it does not affect firefighters' basic living, health and safety, or disaster relief and rescue effectiveness. If any improper management situations are found, immediate improvements will be required. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150610
FAQ
Why were Pingtung firefighters paying for air conditioning?
Because the electricity budget for each branch was insufficient, and firefighters had to cover the excess cost.
What did Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi promise?
She promised to improve the system so that firefighters would no longer have to pay for air conditioning.
What specific measures will Pingtung County take?
They will replace about 20 old air conditioners over 17 years old and also call for energy conservation.