Gwangju Fire Department Promotes Safety Measures for Spring Mountain Accidents

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The Gwangju Metropolitan Fire Safety Headquarters is implementing a ‘Mountain Accident Safety Plan’ to prevent mountain accidents and ensure rapid rescue.

According to Gwangju City on the 14th, 769 mountain accidents have occurred in the past three years, with slips and falls accounting for 228 cases (29.6%), personal illnesses 146 cases (19.0%), and exhaustion and dehydration 112 cases (14.5%). In particular, mountain accidents increased from April when the weather warms up, and weekends were the most frequent time.

Accordingly, the city’s Fire Safety Headquarters will operate ‘Mountain Safety Keepers’ composed of firefighters, volunteer firefighters, and private volunteers equipped with mountain rescue capabilities on weekends and holidays at five major spring (April-May) hiking trails (Mudeungsan, Geumdangsan, Jeseoksan, Samgaksan, Eodeungsan).

The Mountain Safety Keepers aim to prevent accidents through promoting hiking safety rules and patrolling.

In addition, in case of mountain accidents, an advanced system using the ‘119 On-site Support Mobile System’ is operated, where dispatched rescue teams directly check the reporter’s smartphone location information and deploy drones equipped with optical and thermal cameras for rapid search and rescue.

Furthermore, a mountain safety map indicating hiking trail locations, national point numbers, and simple rescue first aid kits will be produced and distributed for major hiking trails so that hikers can easily check safety information.

Kim Young-il, Head of Rescue and First Aid Division, said, “Hikers should choose hiking courses suitable for their physical strength and strictly follow hiking safety rules,” and added, “In case of an emergency rescue situation, please report immediately to 119, and we will promptly dispatch and rescue.”