Fighting forest fires is a dangerous job for professional firefighters and volunteers alike, but volunteers, who are usually poor, do not only risk their lives.
If they are seriously injured in the course of their unenviable task, they are unlikely to be properly compensated, although they do receive medical treatment.
Such is the predicament being confronted by some of the 14 injured volunteer firefighters in Chom Thong district of Chiang Mai. Some were seriously hurt when a pickup in which they were travelling plunged into a ravine on May 6th. One died.
Among the injured survivors, 49-year-old “Pian” sustained back bone dislocation and fractured ribs, which have led to pulmonary oedema and a risk of sudden kidney failure. He was treated at Chom Thong District Hospital for two days, before being transferred to Maharaj Nakhon Chiang Mai Hospital for surgery. After nine days at the second hospital, he was discharged to convalesce at home.
Pian can now walk again, but only short distances. Occasionally, there is blood in his urine and he needs frequent visits to his doctor.
Pian says that his life has changed for the worse. He can no longer do odd jobs, raise his cattle or work in his longan orchard. The medical costs of the frequent visits to his doctor have forced him to sell six head of cattle.
He said he may have to stop working for about a year and that the burden of supporting the family now rests with his wife. He complained that there is no welfare or compensation for injured volunteers.
Another injured volunteer, “Nop”, who is working at Doi Kaew sub-district municipality in Chom Thong district, is luckier than Pian. He underwent two surgeries to treat his broken right hand, which have left him unable to lift heavy objects and a requirement to see a doctor periodically.
As a municipal worker, he has received a one-time 4,000 baht compensation payment from the municipality and is entitled to compensation from the Social Welfare Fund.
He says, though, that as a temporary worker, he has no idea when he may be laid off because of his impaired health following the accident.
The municipal mayor, Somboon Chucharoensamphan, admits that the municipality is short of funding to assist all injured volunteers. He has, however, sought financial help from the municipal association and plans to hold a concert to raise funds for the injured.
