Gwangju Fire Department, 216 Daily Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Dispatches in Q1 This Year

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The Gwangju Metropolitan Fire Safety Headquarters analyzed the fire activity statistics in the Gwangju area for the first quarter of this year and found that there was an average of 216 fire, rescue, emergency medical, and daily safety dispatches per day.

According to the statistics on the 8th, Gwangju Fire Department responded to a total of 19,436 fire, rescue, emergency medical, and daily safety incidents in the first quarter.

Among them, fires occurred at an average of 2.27 cases per day, totaling 205 cases, with 10 casualties, a 25% increase compared to 8 last year. Property damage was recorded at about 1.384 billion won, an increase of about 668 million won (93%) compared to the previous year.

The locations of fire occurrences were mostly non-residential places such as restaurants and industrial facilities with 85 cases (41.5%), and by cause, negligence accounted for 113 cases (55.1%), electrical factors 48 cases (23.4%), mechanical factors 21 cases (10.2%), and unknown causes 12 cases (5.9%).

Among these, most fires caused by negligence were cigarette butts with 44 cases (38.9%) and food cooking with 16 cases (14.2%).

Rescue incidents occurred at an average of 18.1 cases per day, totaling 1,267 cases, a 6.1% increase from 1,194 cases last year.

By type of accident, traffic accidents accounted for 294 cases (23.2%), elevator accidents 177 cases (14.0%), and suicide attempts 107 cases (8.4%). Traffic accidents occurred 35 times (11.9%) during the heavy snow warning periods (January 1, 6-8, 18, 28).

In particular, life-trapping accidents increased significantly to 63 cases, a 473% increase compared to 11 cases last year, contributing to the overall increase in rescue cases. Detailed causes include 40 cases trapped inside buildings, 5 cases trapped in vehicles, and 18 cases trapped in other places (stairs, facilities, etc.).

Daily safety incidents averaged 26 cases per day, totaling 2,329 cases, which is an increase of 602 cases (34.9%) compared to the previous year.

Citizen-centered safety activities were predominant, with safety measures accounting for 1,052 cases (53.1%), unlocking devices 399 cases (20.1%), and animal capture 296 cases (14.9%).

Notably, 945 cases (47.7%) of daily safety activities were concentrated in January, which is analyzed to be due to the frequent severe cold and heavy snow this year, leading to a significant increase in dispatches for icicle removal and safety measures compared to the previous year.

On the other hand, animal capture activities decreased by 62 cases (-26.4%) for dog captures such as stray dogs, resulting in an overall decrease of 46 cases (-13.5%) compared to last year.

Emergency medical dispatches averaged 169.7 cases per day, totaling 15,274 dispatches, with 10,743 people transported. Compared to last year, dispatches increased by 762 cases (5.3%) and transported people increased by 405 cases (3.9%).

By patient type, diseases (pain, decreased consciousness, etc.) accounted for 7,269 people (67.6%), accident injuries (falls, slips, etc.) 2,130 people (19.8%), and traffic accidents 876 people (8.2%). By location, 7,407 people (69%) were at home, and by age group, people in their 50s were the largest at 1,785 people (16.6%).

COVID-19 related confirmed cases were 1,776, suspected COVID-19 patients with high fever and cough were 2,768, those with symptoms at school and overseas entrants were 2,734, and vaccinated patients were 26, totaling 7,304 people transported to hospitals and isolation facilities.

Lee Jeong-ja, head of the city’s Rescue and Emergency Medical Department, said, “We will carefully analyze this statistical data to utilize it in establishing fire policies,” and added, “We will strive to provide citizens with improved fire services.”