The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is making efforts to address the workload concerns of firefighters in the city by recruiting additional personnel. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has assigned Deputy Governor Tavida Kamolvej to examine the issue and find solutions for the firefighters who currently endure long, consecutive shifts without overtime compensation. The recent opening of more fire stations has further strained the existing workforce, prompting the BMA to take action in recruiting more firefighters. However, the process has faced challenges due to budget limitations.
Governor Sittipunt acknowledged that Bangkok is lagging behind other major cities in terms of firefighting capabilities. While new fire stations are being established to accommodate the expanding residential and metropolitan areas, the BMA faces legislative obstacles that restrict the employment of additional firefighters. The current regulations stipulate that the wages of BMA employees cannot exceed 40% of the overall budget, making it difficult to allocate sufficient funds for recruitment.
According to Theerayut Phumsak, Director of the BMA’s Bureau of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the number of fire stations and firefighters in Bangkok has fallen below the recommended standards, potentially affecting the capital’s emergency response capabilities. Presently, Bangkok has 41 stations and 7-8 sub-stations, with approximately 2,200 personnel working tirelessly to ensure public safety.
Director Theerayut emphasized the importance of firefighters reaching the scene of a fire within eight minutes of dispatch from their respective stations. However, he admitted that this target is only achievable in certain areas of the capital and not during rush hour. To address this issue and enhance public safety, he advised the governor to establish at least 14 additional fire stations.
Furthermore, Theerayut urged the BMA to take prompt action in addressing the matter, as the current system heavily relies on firefighters working consecutive shifts. By recruiting more personnel and expanding the number of stations, the BMA can alleviate the workload burden on existing firefighters and enhance emergency response capabilities throughout the city.
