Seoul City Implements Special Fire Station Watch Duty Ahead of 'Buddha's Birthday' Celebration Events

Special Alert Duty and Patrols Strengthened at 24 Fire Stations from the 8th
Fire Safety Measures Including Special Inspections and Fire Prevention Safety Consulting for 884 Sites Also Implemented

Ahead of Buddha's Birthday (May 19), various traditional lanterns are displayed on May 6 at Cheonggyecheon in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on the 12th that it will conduct special alert duty from the 18th to the 20th in preparation for the Buddha’s Birthday celebration event on the 19th.

According to the Fire and Disaster Headquarters, during this period, they plan to focus on preventing fires caused by careless handling of fire during the Yeondeunghoe lantern festival and celebration events at a total of 884 temples in Seoul, including 60 traditional temples. They will also concentrate on preventing and monitoring forest fires around the temples.

First, to proactively prevent and respond to fires, fire station chiefs will maintain an emergency communication system and establish an initial response system, with firefighting forces operating at 100% capacity in preparation for emergencies.

From the 18th to the 19th, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters will conduct preventive patrols at least twice a day using fire pump vehicles along 360 mobile patrol routes, including areas around traditional temples. At major temples such as Bongeunsa in Gangnam-gu and Hoapsa in Guro-gu, fire trucks and firefighters will be stationed nearby to respond quickly to fires or other disasters.

Additionally, the 119 fire helicopter emergency dispatch system will be fully operational to prepare for forest fires around temples, and the 119 ambulance team’s patient transport system related to COVID-19 prevention during religious events will be thoroughly managed.

Furthermore, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters is conducting special fire safety inspections at 884 locations, including traditional temples, and is promoting regular inspections by on-site commanders along with fire prevention safety consulting. The fire prevention safety consulting is conducted non-face-to-face using checklists to advise caution when handling fire sources such as candles, lanterns, and electrical or gas appliances, as well as instructions on how to act in case of fire.

Meanwhile, on the 11th, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters held a fire commanders’ meeting to discuss the progress of the ‘Fire Safety Measures for Buddha’s Birthday and Metropolitan Area Forest Fire Preparedness.’ The meeting was attended by executives and fire station chiefs affiliated with the Fire and Disaster Headquarters, who reviewed the progress of special fire inspections at traditional temples, on-site inspections by executives, and shared fire safety measures for high-rise residential complexes and other buildings.

Chief Choi Tae-young stated, “We will do our utmost to prevent fires and maintain vigilance to ensure safety during the Buddha’s Birthday celebration events,” and added, “We ask citizens visiting traditional temples to cooperate in fire prevention and COVID-19 prevention efforts.”