Ministry of the Interior and Safety to Train Local Disaster Safety Experts

For Grade 5 Public Officials in 17 Cities and Provinces

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that it will hold the entrance ceremony for the "3rd Disaster Safety Mid-level Leader Course" on the 13th at the National Civil Defense Disaster Safety Training Institute for grade 5 public officials from 17 local governments (cities and provinces).

The "Disaster Safety Mid-level Leader Course" is the only customized professional training program in Korea designed for grade 5 public officials from 17 cities and provinces. It aims to cultivate core leaders who can oversee and coordinate disaster and safety management tasks in their regions and command, control, and manage the field during emergencies.

Since the establishment of the course last year, two cohorts totaling 34 trainees have graduated, and the 3rd course plans to produce 17 core disaster safety experts.

The training is conducted over six months with the goal of "cultivating practical regional disaster safety managers strong in the field," aiming to enhance the work competencies necessary for performing duties as heads of disaster safety departments in local governments.

The detailed curriculum focuses on ▲ customized job training to strengthen core disaster management competencies, ▲ field-centered education enabling direct response in disaster situations, ▲ enhancing problem-solving skills through policy research, and ▲ disaster safety management using advanced new technologies and fostering public service ethics.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In particular, by conducting commissioned training in collaboration with other educational institutions, the program aims to develop integrated situational judgment and response capabilities at various natural and social disaster sites such as weather disasters due to climate change, wildfires, landslides, ship accidents, and marine pollution.

Additionally, field learning will be conducted by visiting disaster sites and exemplary disaster management institutions to strengthen command capabilities required for different disaster situations.

This training will be conducted as face-to-face group education focused on field training, practice, and experience, and considering the COVID-19 situation, a hybrid method will also be operated to allow replacement with online education if necessary.

Kim Jaeheum, Director of the National Civil Defense Disaster Safety Training Institute at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, stated, "The role of regional disaster safety managers at the forefront of disaster sites is very important to adapt to changes in the disaster environment and respond quickly." He encouraged the trainees, saying, "I hope you will learn and master the wisdom of Gyotosamgul (狡兎三窟) to protect the lives, bodies, and property of the people by preparing in advance for disasters and grow into regional disaster safety experts for future disasters."