Kaohsiung Fire Bureau Denies Reports of Banning Air Conditioning to Save Electricity

Central News Agency, Kaohsiung, May 25. In response to recent media reports claiming that 'Kaohsiung fire stations are not turning on air conditioning due to electricity cost concerns' amid the hot weather, the Kaohsiung City Fire Bureau stated that there has been no directive banning the use of air conditioning by field units, and that the reports likely stemmed from a gap in internal communication. Wang Chung-hsu, captain of the Sixth Disaster Relief and Rescue Brigade of the Kaohsiung Fire Bureau, told the media today that no regulations banning air conditioning have been issued, nor have there been any forced power cuts. He suggested it might be a misunderstanding among staff and promised to strengthen two-way communication. Wang explained that air conditioning is primarily used during lunch breaks and at night, and given the current summer heat, the usage time will be flexibly extended. If staff have special needs, such as feeling unwell or being injured on duty, additional air conditioning will be provided. Wang emphasized that the Fire Bureau will not 'settle scores' and aims to identify the root cause to ensure a better working environment. The Fire Bureau issued a press release stating that air conditioning usage and energy-saving measures are delegated to each field unit to adjust flexibly based on building conditions, operational characteristics, and actual needs. The Bureau prioritizes the health and safety of its staff and reaffirmed the principle of 'flexible use of air conditioning based on weather and actual needs.' It also noted that electricity costs for all field units are fully covered by the annual budget, so staff do not need to endure high temperatures out of concern for electricity bills. The Bureau has successfully increased its electricity budget for two consecutive years, adding 5.208 million NTD last year and another 2.987 million NTD this year. Furthermore, it continues to invest in upgrading old equipment, having spent approximately 4.87 million NTD last year to replace 166 air conditioning units over 10 years old, with ongoing maintenance and upgrades this year.