Firefighters Allegedly Share Excess Utility Bills; Hualien Fire Bureau Denies
Hualien County firefighters were allegedly asked to share excess water and electricity costs for public areas. A councilor questioned the low budget allocation. The fire bureau denied the claims, stating public area costs are fully covered by the government.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 17:13
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 17:24 (11 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 10, 2026 at 17:25 (1 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporter Zhang Qi, Hualien County, 10th) Hualien County Democratic Progressive Party councilor Hu Ren-Shun received a tip that county firefighters can use air conditioning but have to share the excess water and electricity bills, with some paying over NT$1,000 per period. The Hualien County Fire Bureau clarified that utility costs for public spaces are fully covered by the government, and there are no restrictions on air conditioning use.
Hu Ren-Shun posted on Facebook today, pointing out that regarding the nationwide issue of firefighters not being allowed to use air conditioning, the situation in Hualien is relatively good, with most units able to use it. Only the Heping unit does not turn on the air conditioning. Eight units bear the difference in electricity costs themselves, while three units have costs covered by the government but are asked by superiors to turn off the air conditioning. They are unable to install independent meters to pay for their own usage.
Hu Ren-Shun stated that firefighters reported having to share the water and electricity costs that exceed the budget for public areas, with one firefighter paying over NT$1,000 per period, in addition to the electricity costs for their dormitories which they bear themselves.
Hu Ren-Shun listed the fire bureau's budget for water and electricity. Taking the year 115 of the Republic of China (2026) as an example, the total budget for the bureau's 24 units was over NT$820,000, approximately NT$34,500 per unit per year, or NT$2,875 per month, covering all facility electricity usage. He questioned this, saying, "Even a large family's electricity bill is higher than this."
Hu Ren-Shun argued that besides household appliances and air conditioning, the increasing electrification of rescue equipment in recent years has added to the power consumption. He also noted that firefighters are on duty 24 hours a day, so their utility budget should not be the same as that for regular civil servants working from 9 to 5.
The Hualien County Fire Bureau clarified that every unit has air conditioning installed with no strict usage time limits, and utility costs for public areas are fully covered by the government. Dormitories are private spaces with independent meters, and users pay for their own consumption. According to the bureau, the average cost per person per period is about NT$400 to NT$600. If a unit's operational budget has a surplus, it is distributed equally among the members. Last year, the surplus from the operational budget was distributed, giving each member about NT$2,300.
In response to the councilor's质疑 about the low budget allocation for utilities, the Hualien County Fire Bureau explained that the utility budget of NT$2,500 to NT$3,500 per month is included in the operational budget. If there is an overrun, it is entirely paid from the operational budget. The bureau stated it has never shared the excess amount with its members and has not received any similar complaints in the past. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150610
Hu Ren-Shun posted on Facebook today, pointing out that regarding the nationwide issue of firefighters not being allowed to use air conditioning, the situation in Hualien is relatively good, with most units able to use it. Only the Heping unit does not turn on the air conditioning. Eight units bear the difference in electricity costs themselves, while three units have costs covered by the government but are asked by superiors to turn off the air conditioning. They are unable to install independent meters to pay for their own usage.
Hu Ren-Shun stated that firefighters reported having to share the water and electricity costs that exceed the budget for public areas, with one firefighter paying over NT$1,000 per period, in addition to the electricity costs for their dormitories which they bear themselves.
Hu Ren-Shun listed the fire bureau's budget for water and electricity. Taking the year 115 of the Republic of China (2026) as an example, the total budget for the bureau's 24 units was over NT$820,000, approximately NT$34,500 per unit per year, or NT$2,875 per month, covering all facility electricity usage. He questioned this, saying, "Even a large family's electricity bill is higher than this."
Hu Ren-Shun argued that besides household appliances and air conditioning, the increasing electrification of rescue equipment in recent years has added to the power consumption. He also noted that firefighters are on duty 24 hours a day, so their utility budget should not be the same as that for regular civil servants working from 9 to 5.
The Hualien County Fire Bureau clarified that every unit has air conditioning installed with no strict usage time limits, and utility costs for public areas are fully covered by the government. Dormitories are private spaces with independent meters, and users pay for their own consumption. According to the bureau, the average cost per person per period is about NT$400 to NT$600. If a unit's operational budget has a surplus, it is distributed equally among the members. Last year, the surplus from the operational budget was distributed, giving each member about NT$2,300.
In response to the councilor's质疑 about the low budget allocation for utilities, the Hualien County Fire Bureau explained that the utility budget of NT$2,500 to NT$3,500 per month is included in the operational budget. If there is an overrun, it is entirely paid from the operational budget. The bureau stated it has never shared the excess amount with its members and has not received any similar complaints in the past. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150610
FAQ
Are Hualien firefighters required to share public utility costs?
The Hualien County Fire Bureau denies this, stating that all public area utility costs are fully covered by the government.
How are electricity costs for firefighter dormitories handled?
Dormitories are private spaces with individual meters, and users pay for their own consumption, averaging NT$400-600 per period.
Why does the councilor claim the budget is too low?
The councilor points out that the monthly utility budget per unit is only NT$2,875, which is lower than that of an average household.