REGULATIONS ON THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF FIREFIGHTING OFFICIALS

Article 1(Purpose) #

The purpose of this Decree is to prescribe matters necessary for the education and training of firefighting officials and persons to be appointed as firefighting officials.

Article 2(Definitions) #

The terms used in this Decree are defined as follows: <Amended on Aug. 13, 2024>

1. "Fire agency" means a fire agency defined in subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of the Decree on the Appointment of Firefighting Officials;

2. "Education and training institution" means an education and training institution for firefighting officials established and operated by the Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, or a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereafter in this Article referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor") under Article 20(1) and (2) of the Firefighting Officials Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Act");

3. "Workplace training" means education and training conducted while firefighting officials under the jurisdiction of the head of a fire agency perform routine duties, in order to enhance their job performance capabilities;

4. "Entrusted education and training" means education and training conducted by entrusting such education and training, under Article 20(3) of the Act, to domestic or foreign educational institutions or to education and training institutions under Article 8 of the Education and Training of Local Public Officials Act.

Article 3(Firefighting Education and Training Policy Committee) #

(1) The Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency may, where necessary, establish and operate a Firefighting Education and Training Policy Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") to deliberate on and coordinate the following matters relating to policies for, and development of, education and training for firefighting officials:

1. Matters relating to the objectives of, and directions for implementing, education and training policies;

2. Matters relating to the short-term and long-term development of education and training, and the improvement of related systems;

3. Matters relating to the improvement of facilities and equipment for education and training, and the securing of budget;

4. Matters relating to consultation and coordination regarding education and training courses at fire service academies;

5. Matters relating to the joint development and utilization of subjects and teaching materials for education and training courses;

6. Matters relating to the mutual utilization of education and training facilities and teaching personnel;

7. Other matters necessary for the development of education and training for firefighting officials.

(2) The Committee shall be composed of up to 50 members, including 1 chairperson.

(3) The Vice Commissioner of the National Fire Agency shall serve as the chairperson of the Committee, and the members shall be as follows:

1. The Director General for Planning and Coordination of the National Fire Agency;

2. A director-level official of the National Fire Agency in charge of education and training of firefighting officials;

3. The head of the National Fire Service Academy;

4. A director-level official of the fire headquarters of the Special Metropolitan City, a Metropolitan City, a Special Self-Governing City, a Do, or a Special Self-Governing Province (hereinafter referred to as "City/Do") in charge of education and training of firefighting officials;

5. The head of each fire service academy;

6. A public official in a director-level position in the National Fire Agency, designated by the Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency.

Article 4(Opportunities for education and training) #

(1) Opportunities for education and training shall be provided equally to all firefighting officials.

(2) The Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency and each Mayor/Do Governor who has jurisdiction over education and training institutions shall allocate trainees equally to each fire agency in accordance with the priority of each education and training course.

Article 5(Classification, persons subject to, and methods of education and training) #

(1) Education and training of firefighting officials shall be classified into basic education and training, specialized education and training, other education and training, and self-development learning.

(2) Education and training of firefighting officials shall be conducted through education at education and training institutions, workplace training, and entrusted education and training.

(3) Details relating to the classification, persons subject to, and methods of education and training shall be as specified in Appendix 1.

(4) When conducting education and training, the head of an education and training institution shall maximize the use of education and training facilities, such as education and training courses or distance learning systems operated by State agencies, public organizations, or private institutions.

Article 6(Support for self-development learning) #

The head of a fire agency shall endeavor to provide information for self-development learning for firefighting officials under his or her jurisdiction and to establish a support system therefor.

Article 7(Education and training plans) #

(1) The Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency shall formulate basic policies and basic guidelines for education and training of firefighting officials for the following year, including the following matters, by November 30 of each year, and notify Mayors/Do Governors and the heads of education and training institutions thereof:

1. Objectives of education and training;

2. Matters relating to education at education and training institutions, workplace training, and entrusted education and training;

3. Matters relating to basic education and training, specialized education and training, other education and training, and self-development learning;

4. Other matters necessary for education and training.

(2) In accordance with the basic policies and basic guidelines under paragraph (1), the Mayor/Do Governor shall formulate an education and training plan of the relevant City/Do for the following year and submit it to the Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency by December 31 of each year.

(3) In accordance with the basic policies and basic guidelines under paragraph (1), the head of an education and training institution shall formulate an education and training plan for the following year and submit it to the Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency by December 31 of each year. In such cases, the head of an education and training institution established in a City/Do shall submit such plan through the Mayor/Do Governor.

(4) If the head of an education and training institution formulates an education and training plan under paragraph (3), he or she shall, without delay, notify the head of each relevant fire agency thereof to prepare for education and training and select persons subject to education and training.

Article 8(Cooperation among, and opening of, education and training institutions) #

(1) The Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency may request the head of an education and training institution to cooperate in, make available, or otherwise undertake the following matters to enhance the disaster response capabilities of the State and local governments and improve the efficiency of operating education and training institutions; in such cases, before making a request to the head of an education and training institution established in a City/Do, the Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency shall consult with the Mayor/Do Governor:

1. Making the education and training courses of each education and training institution available to all firefighting officials;

2. Designating specialized education and training courses for each education and training institution;

3. Jointly developing and utilizing education and training courses, including subjects, teaching materials, and education and training content;

4. Mutually utilizing teaching personnel, education and training facilities, equipment, etc.;

5. Making the education and training courses and education and training facilities of each education and training institution available to the public and private sectors;

6. Mutually supporting other matters necessary for each education and training institution.

(2) The head of an education and training institution who receives a request under paragraph (1) shall actively cooperate with such request unless there is a compelling reason not to do so.

Article 9(Evaluation of education and training performance) #

(1) The Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency shall regularly or as necessary verify and evaluate the content, methods, performance, etc. of education provided at education and training institutions, workplace training, and entrusted education and training, and shall improve and develop them.

(2) Matters necessary for verification, evaluation, etc. under paragraph (1) shall be determined by the Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency.

Article 10(Payment of education and training expenses) #

The head of a fire agency may, within the budget, pay admission fees, tuition, and other expenses incurred in education and training to firefighting officials selected as persons subject to education and training.

Article 11(Mandatory service) #

(1) A person who is appointed after completing initial training under subparagraph 1a of Appendix 1 (hereinafter referred to as "initial training") shall serve as a firefighting official for at least a period corresponding to the training period.

(2) The appointing authority (including a person delegated with the authority to appoint under Article 3(1) through (6) of the Decree on the Appointment of Firefighting Officials; hereinafter the same shall apply) or the appointment-recommending authority shall, except in special cases, require a firefighting official who has received entrusted education and training for at least 6 months to serve in a field of duties related to the field of such education and training for a period equal to the period of such education and training, not exceeding 6 years (or, in cases of entrusted education and training abroad, for a period equivalent to 2 times the period of such education and training). <Amended on Aug. 13, 2024>

Article 12(Recovery of expenses for violation of obligations) #

The appointing authority or the appointment-recommending authority may, where a person who has received or is receiving initial training or entrusted education and training falls under any of the following subparagraphs, in accordance with Appendix 2, order him or her to return all or part of the expenses incurred in such education and training (excluding remuneration), or, where he or she fails to return such expenses, demand performance of the guarantee obligation from his or her guarantor (including an insurance company that has issued a surety insurance policy under the Insurance Business Act):

1. Where he or she withdraws from the training before completion without good cause or is dismissed from the training;

2. Where he or she fails to fulfill the mandatory service under Article 11(1) and (2);

3. Where he or she fails to return to duty without good cause even after receiving an order to return under Article 41.

Article 13(Education and training courses by education and training institution) #

The Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency shall determine the education and training courses conducted by education and training institutions, and the persons subject thereto, periods, methods, etc.

Article 14(Education and training plans of education and training institutions) #

The head of an education and training institution shall formulate an education and training plan including the following matters, in accordance with the basic policies and basic guidelines under Article 7(1):

1. Basic direction-setting for education and training;

2. Education and training courses;

3. Objectives, syllabi, periods, persons subject to education and training, and the number of trainees for each course;

4. Results of demand surveys for education and training and plans for selecting persons subject to education and training;

5. Plans for compiling teaching materials;

6. Methods for evaluating education and training performance;

7. Other matters deemed necessary by the head of the education and training institution.

Article 15(Selection of persons subject to education and training) #

(1) The head of a fire agency, the appointing authority, or the appointment-recommending authority (hereinafter referred to as "head of a fire agency, etc.") shall, in accordance with the education and training plan under Article 14, select persons suitable for the objectives of each education and training course as persons subject to education and training, taking into account the order of registration in the candidate list for recruitment, date of new recruitment or promotion, rank, duties, career experience, health condition, etc.

(2) Persons subject to education and training shall be selected in a manner that minimizes any resulting backlog of work.

(3) The head of a fire agency, etc. shall notify the head of the relevant education and training institution of the list of persons subject to education and training no later than 10 days before education and training begins.

(4) If the head of an education and training institution deems that any person subject to education and training notified under paragraph (3) is not suitable for the objectives of the relevant education and training course, he or she may request the relevant head of a fire agency, etc. to replace such person. In such cases, the relevant head of a fire agency, etc. shall, without delay, reselect a person subject to education and training and notify the head thereof.

(5) A firefighting official selected as a person subject to education and training shall register with the relevant education and training institution before such education and training begins, and shall comply with the instructions of the head of that education and training institution during the period of such education and training.

Article 16(Evaluation of education and training performance) #

(1) The head of an education and training institution shall establish objective and fair evaluation criteria and methods, and shall evaluate education and training performance accordingly.

(2) The head of an education and training institution may assign tasks to persons subject to education and training before such education and training begins, and may reflect the results thereof in their education and training performance.

(3) The head of an education and training institution shall notify the head of the relevant fire agency, etc. to which a person who has completed education and training belongs of his or her education and training performance within 10 days after completion or graduation.

Article 17(Completion and graduation) #

(1) Each education and training course shall be deemed to meet the requirements for completion if a person subject to education and training obtains a score of at least 60 out of 100; provided, the head of an education and training institution may omit the evaluation of education and training performance under Article 16(1) and determine whether such person has completed the course based on his or her level of participation in education and training, etc.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an initial training course shall be deemed to meet the requirements for graduation if a person subject to education and training meets all of the following requirements and passes a separate graduation assessment procedure determined by the head of the education and training institution:

1. The person obtains an overall score of at least 70 out of 100 in education and training;

2. The person obtains a score of at least 60 out of 100 in each subject designated by the head of the education and training institution.

(3) When conducting graduation assessment under paragraph (2), the head of an education and training institution shall examine whether a person subject to education and training is qualified for graduation, by comprehensively considering his or her training records, etc., and may withhold graduation from a person deemed unfit to perform duties as a firefighting official.

(4) Except as provided in paragraphs (1) through (3), details relating to instructional hours for completion or graduation for each education and training course, procedures and methods for graduation assessment, etc., shall be determined by the head of an education and training institution.

Article 18(Expulsion) #

(1) The head of an education and training institution may expel a person subject to education and training if such person falls under any of the following subparagraphs, and shall notify the head of the relevant fire agency, etc. to which such person belongs of such expulsion:

1. Where he or she has another person receive education and training on his or her behalf;

2. Where he or she is absent without good cause;

3. Where he or she is extremely negligent in attending classes;

4. Where his or her training records are extremely poor;

5. Where he or she engages in any misconduct during an examination;

6. Where he or she fails to comply with instructions of the head of the education and training institution relating to education and training;

7. Where he or she becomes unable to continue education and training due to disease or any other unavoidable circumstance attributable to him or her.

(2) If the head of a fire agency finds that a person expelled from an education and training institution for any reason specified in paragraph (1)1 through 6, or a person who fails to register under Article 15(5) without good cause, falls under any subparagraph of Article 78(1) of the State Public Officials Act, he or she may request a resolution on disciplinary action from the competent disciplinary committee or file an application to request such resolution.

(3) If the head of a fire agency requests a resolution on disciplinary action or files an application to request such resolution under paragraph (2), he or she shall notify the head of the relevant education and training institution of such fact.

Article 19(Measures against persons who fail to meet requirements for completion or graduation) #

(1) The head of a fire agency, etc. may require a person who fails to meet the requirements for completion or graduation under Article 17 to undergo education and training again, only once.

(2) If a person who has undergone education and training again under paragraph (1) again fails to meet the requirements for completion or graduation, and the head of a fire agency deems that such person's extremely poor work performance constitutes a ground for disciplinary action under the subparagraphs of Article 78(1) of the State Public Officials Act, the head of the fire agency may take measures such as requesting a resolution on disciplinary action from the competent disciplinary committee or filing an application to request such resolution.

(3) If the head of a fire agency takes measures under paragraph (2), he or she shall notify the head of the relevant education and training institution of such fact.

Article 20(Management of teaching personnel) #

(1) An education and training institution shall have teaching personnel who perform the following roles:

1. Giving lectures or providing training;

2. Conducting curriculum research and preparing teaching materials;

3. Designing and operating education and training courses, and evaluating education and training performance;

4. Providing counseling and guidance to persons subject to education and training.

(2) The head of an education and training institution may classify and manage teaching personnel as lecture instructors, training instructors, education operation instructors, and guidance instructors.

(3) The head of an education and training institution shall appoint or commission teaching personnel under paragraph (2).

(4) The head of an education and training institution may commission, as an honorary instructor, a person who has retired as a firefighting official and whose achievements while in service were outstanding, and who has extensive expertise and experience in education and training.

(5) The head of an education and training institution may commission, as a visiting instructor, a person who has extensive expertise and experience in education and training, such as lecturing on, or conducting training in specific fields or subjects, or providing guidance for group exercises.

Article 21(Concurrent appointment of teaching personnel) #

(1) If necessary to have a person take charge of a special subject under Article 11(1) of the Act on the Capacity Development of Public Officials or Article 14(1) of the Education and Training of Local Public Officials Act, the head of an education and training institution may concurrently appoint a public official in the relevant field or a civilian expert as a teaching staff member, irrespective of the prescribed number of personnel. In such cases, if a teaching staff member concurrently appointed is a public official, the head shall have a prior consultation with the head of the agency to which he or she belongs.

(2) Allowances for concurrent positions may be paid, within the budget, to teaching personnel concurrently holding positions under paragraph (1), in accordance with Articles 21 and 32 of the Public Officials Remuneration Regulations or Articles 20 and 31 of the Local Public Officials Remuneration Regulations.

(3) If the head of an education and training institution requests consultation to concurrently appoint a public official under the jurisdiction of the head of a fire agency as a teaching staff member under paragraph (1), the head of the fire agency shall comply with such request unless there is a compelling reason not to do so.

Article 22(Qualification criteria for teaching personnel) #

Teaching personnel shall be persons who possess any of the following qualifications or capabilities:

1. A person with at least 3 years of practical, research, or lecturing experience related to the field for which he or she is to be responsible;

2. A person who holds a license or certificate related to the field for which he or she is to be responsible;

3. A person who holds a master's degree or higher related to the field for which he or she is to be responsible;

4. A person who has completed at least 6 months of education and training related to the field for which he or she is to be responsible;

5. A person who is qualified as a professor, associate professor, or assistant professor under Article 16 of the Higher Education Act and Article 2 of the Regulations on the Standards for Qualifications of University Faculty Members in relation to the field for which he or she is to be responsible;

6. Any other person recognized by the head of an education and training institution as having extensive knowledge and experience related to the field for which he or she is to be responsible.

Article 23(Grounds for disqualification of teaching personnel) #

No person who falls under any of the following subparagraphs shall be appointed as teaching personnel:

1. A person for whom a period of disciplinary action is in effect;

2. A person for whom 2 years have not passed since the date the period of disciplinary action imposed on him or her expired;

3. A person for whom 1 year has not passed since the date disposition of suspension from office ended.

Article 24(Capacity-building and evaluation of teaching personnel) #

(1) The head of an education and training institution shall require persons to be appointed or already appointed as teaching personnel to periodically complete relevant education and training courses, so that they can strengthen their expertise and capacity in lecturing, training, education management, etc.

(2) The head of an education and training institution shall formulate measures to systematically manage and train teaching personnel, in order to strengthen their professional capacity and improve the quality of lectures.

(3) The head of an education and training institution may evaluate the teaching capacity of teaching personnel and reflect the results in performance evaluation, selection for education and training, support for research expenses, etc.

Article 25(Transfer of teaching personnel) #

When transferring teaching personnel whose mandatory period of service in a position under Article 28(2) of the Decree on the Appointment of Firefighting Officials has expired, the preference of the relevant teaching personnel shall be considered. <Amended on Aug. 13, 2024>

Article 26(Education and training facilities) #

The Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency and each Mayor/Do Governor shall ensure that each education and training institution is equipped with education and training facilities under Appendix 3, so that firefighting officials can effectively improve their job competency and on-site response capabilities through education and training.

Article 27(Regulations on academic affairs) #

(1) The head of an education and training institution shall prescribe the following matters relating to education and training by regulations on academic affairs, such as school regulations:

1. Matters relating to admission, expulsion, rewards and disciplinary measures;

2. Details relating to evaluation of education and training performance and completion or graduation;

3. Matters relating to class hours and holidays;

4. Matters relating to admission to and residence in dormitories under Article 28;

5. Matters relating to entrusted trainees;

6. Matters relating to identification marks for persons subject to education and training;

7. Matters relating to the selection, commissioning, and management of teaching personnel, etc.;

8. Other matters deemed necessary by the head of an education and training institution.

(2) If the head of an education and training institution intends to enact, amend, or repeal regulations on academic affairs that include matters relating to paragraph (1)1 and 2, he or she shall consult with the Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency.

Article 28(Admission to dormitories) #

Firefighting officials receiving education and training at an education and training institution and persons to be appointed as firefighting officials shall be admitted to dormitories during the period of education and training, except for any period prescribed by regulations on academic affairs; provided, they need not be admitted to dormitories if deemed necessary by the head of the education and training institution for the smooth operation and the achievement of its objectives.

Article 29(Provision of supplies and items for loan) #

Supplies and items for loan equivalent to those provided to firefighting officials may be provided, within the budget, to persons to be appointed as firefighting officials who receive education and training at an education and training institution.

Article 30(Conduct of workplace training) #

(1) The head of a fire agency shall regularly or occasionally conduct systematic workplace training so that firefighting officials under his or her jurisdiction can acquire new specialized knowledge and academic knowledge, skills, information, etc. necessary for performing their duties.

(2) The head of a fire agency shall appoint a senior technical advisor for each firefighting official appointed on probation and conduct systematic workplace training so that he or she can acquire knowledge, skills, basic competencies, etc. necessary to understand the organization and functions of the relevant agency and to perform his or her duties.

(3) The head of a fire agency shall conduct systematic physical training in the workplace for firefighting officials under his or her jurisdiction so that they can effectively carry out response activities at disaster sites.

Article 31(Management of total workplace training hours) #

(1) The head of a fire agency shall establish target total workplace training hours for firefighting officials under his or her jurisdiction and manage such hours individually, in order to conduct practical and systematic workplace training.

(2) Details necessary for the establishment and management of target total workplace training hours under paragraph (1) shall be determined by the Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency.

Article 32(Workplace training plans) #

The head of a fire agency shall formulate a workplace training plan including the following matters in accordance with the basic policies and basic guidelines under Article 7(1):

1. Education on the establishment of public service values and government policy measures;

2. Team-based firefighting tactical training and individual specialized technical training relating to duties;

3. Practical adaptation education and training for newly recruited persons and persons reassigned to different positions;

4. Training for the improvement of physical fitness;

5. Matters relating to goals for the total amount of workplace training hours and the management thereof;

6. Other specialized education and training for strengthening expertise by department and field of duties.

Article 33(Workplace training officers) #

(1) A workplace training officer shall be assigned to each fire agency to be in charge of matters relating to workplace training for firefighting officials.

(2) A workplace training officer under paragraph (1) shall be designated by the head of the relevant fire agency.

Article 34(Duties of workplace training officers) #

A workplace training officer shall perform the following duties under the direction and supervision of the head of the relevant fire agency:

1. Formulation and review of workplace training plans, and guidance on, and supervision of, workplace training;

2. Evaluation and verification of the results of workplace training;

3. Preparation of facilities, teaching materials, etc. for conducting workplace training;

4. Other matters necessary for conducting workplace training.

Article 35(Evaluation of workplace training performance) #

(1) The head of a fire agency shall periodically or occasionally evaluate the workplace training performance of public officials under his or her jurisdiction and reflect the results thereof in personnel management.

(2) The methods for evaluation under paragraph (1) shall be determined by the Fire Commissioner of the National Fire Agency.

CHPATER IV ENTRUSTED EDUCATION AND TRAINING