Jeonnam Fire Department Establishes Rapid Response System for Spring Fires and Promotes Prevention Measures

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Fire Department will implement the 'Spring Fire Prevention Measures' until May to prevent fires and establish a rapid response system.

According to the Jeonnam Fire Headquarters (Chief Ma Jaeyoon) on the 4th, out of 13,169 fires that occurred in the province over the past five years, 3,840 cases (29.2%) occurred during the spring season (March to May).

The spring season had the highest annual fire occurrence rate, followed by winter at 28%, summer at 22%, and autumn at 21%.

By cause, negligence such as burning trash and cigarette butts accounted for the largest proportion with 2,454 cases (63.9%), followed by electrical causes with 680 cases (17.7%) and mechanical causes with 299 cases (7.8%).

By location, wildlands accounted for 815 cases (21.2%), outdoor/roads 794 cases (20.7%), and residential facilities 682 cases (17.8%), respectively.

Last year, the number of casualties caused by spring fires totaled 25 people (5 deaths, 20 injuries), a 26% decrease compared to 34 people (8 deaths, 26 injuries) in 2019, but property damage increased by 56.7% to 10.5 billion KRW from 6.7 billion KRW last year.

Jeonnam Fire Department will promote customized safety measures for residents to provide safe living spaces from the dry and warm spring climate, which is prone to fires, and from the COVID-19 infectious disease.

In particular, this year has been designated as the 'Year of Intensive Promotion for Residential Fire Alarms,' and comprehensive publicity will be promoted using media and locations that connect with residents' daily lives. Safety management of fire-vulnerable residential facilities such as residential vinyl greenhouses will be strengthened to minimize casualties.

Additionally, the department will focus on ▲ fire safety management for vulnerable targets ▲ fire safety management of buildings ▲ fire safety management in preparation for Buddha’s Birthday ▲ COVID-19 infectious disease response ▲ establishment of forest fire prevention and response systems.

Joint inspections will be conducted with related agencies at 22 COVID-19 vaccination centers in the province, and fire prevention patrols will be strengthened.

Chief Ma Jaeyoon of the Fire Headquarters said, “We will do our best to implement safety measures through proactive prevention activities and on-site response to reduce fires caused by negligence in spring,” and added, “We ask all residents to pay special attention and caution to prevent spring fires.”