'Rapid Increase in COVID-19 Cases' Seoul City Strengthens Fire Safety Management at COVID-19 Facilities

Implementation of Fire Safety Support Teams by Fire Stations, Safety Consulting, and Strengthening On-site Adaptation Training

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Considering the emergency measures being prepared by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, such as securing additional hospital beds due to the rapid increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases, the city announced on the 8th that it will strengthen fire safety management for COVID-19 related facilities.

As of the 6th, Seoul has a total of 69 COVID-19 related facilities, including 25 infectious disease dedicated hospitals, 29 residential treatment centers, and 13 temporary living facilities. These facilities are mainly hospitals or lodging facilities, requiring focused fire safety management.

Accordingly, the Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters has been conducting consultations with facility management before newly designating COVID-19 related facilities to review fire safety, checking fire facility installation and management, exterior material types, and surrounding road conditions. Additionally, patrols for fire prevention and rapid on-site response, biannual special fire inspections, and weekly safety message transmissions are regularly conducted for publicity.

The main additional measures under this strengthened fire safety management include the formation of fire safety support teams at each of the 24 Seoul fire stations and fire prevention consulting for COVID-19 related facilities. Private experts such as fire protection engineers participate in the consulting based on factors like the total floor area and current fire facility status. Through this, the plan is to support these facilities, which are overloaded due to patient accommodation, to ensure there are no safety blind spots.

Furthermore, considering that confirmed patients are being accommodated in these facilities, on-site adaptation training, which is conducted once a week by each jurisdictional 119 Safety Center, will be expanded to include training led by the fire stations. The training includes fire suppression and, simultaneously, rescue of occupants, disinfection, and emergency transport measures to prevent infection spread in case of fire or other accidents at the facilities.

Choi Tae-young, head of the Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters, stated, “With winter and the recent spread of infections, fire safety at COVID-19 related facilities is crucial.” He added, “We will further strengthen fire safety management to prevent fires and ensure thorough and rapid rescue operations in emergencies.”