Jeonnam Fire Department Embarks on 'Safe Journey' with Residents through Winter Customized Special Policies

Promotion of 'Winter Fire Safety Measures' until February next year

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Fire Department is embarking on a ‘Safe Journey’ with residents to minimize winter fire and casualties.

The Jeonnam Fire Headquarters (Chief Ma Jaeyoon) announced on the 8th that following the promotion of 'Fire Prevention Emphasis Month' in November, it will implement the ‘Winter Fire Safety Measures’ until February next year.

Looking at the winter fire status in the province over the past five years (2016?2020), the average number of fires during winter (December to February of the following year) was recorded as 724 cases.

Compared to the annual daily average of 7.2 fires, winter sees 8 fires daily, which is 0.8 more fires each day.

In terms of casualties, a total of 151 people (30 deaths and 121 injuries) were affected during the winter period over the past five years, and property damage amounted to 32.8 billion KRW.

Regarding fire causes, among the 3,624 winter fires over the past five years, 2,250 cases (62.1%) were caused by negligence.

Accordingly, the Jeonnam Fire Headquarters plans to reduce negligence-related fires during the fire safety measures period and strengthen fire safety management for vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals, fostering a culture of voluntary safety management centered on facility owners and related personnel.

To encourage residents to think about safety during winter, a fire safety pledge campaign accessible to everyone will be promoted through online and offline campaigns using QR codes.

Additionally, promotional videos for installing residential fire safety equipment will be produced and distributed, and a non-face-to-face fire safety quiz competition will be held for schools in the province to make safety easily accessible to everyone through safety events.

Reflecting the characteristics of Jeonnam, which has entered a super-aged society, a fire drill video contest will be held for evacuation-vulnerable facilities such as nursing homes, and a fire operation map (Salryeodo) containing floor-by-floor building structures, occupancy, and fire equipment locations will be produced to prepare for emergencies.

In traditional markets, visible fire extinguishers will be reinforced, color markings by section will be applied, safety management of residential facilities within the market will be strengthened, and inspections of fire safety facilities in high-rise buildings and construction sites will be conducted.

To prevent forest fires, ‘voice alert fire extinguishers’ using old fire extinguishers will be installed on major hiking trails, drone surveillance teams for forest areas will be operated, and evacuation drills for evacuation-vulnerable facilities adjacent to forests will be promoted.

Furthermore, focused publicity on the safe use of the three major winter fire risk items (electric heating pads, electric heaters, wood boilers), expansion of residential fire safety equipment distribution, and monthly fire prevention campaigns on the 4th day for apartment complexes will be carried out.

Chief Ma Jaeyoon said, “We will do our best in safety management by implementing various fire safety measures to prevent damage caused by winter fires,” and added, “We ask for the special attention of all residents to prevent fires caused by negligence.”