Busan Gijang-gun and Gijang Fire Station Joint Wildfire Suppression Drill with Related Agencies

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] On the 23rd, Busan Gijang-gun and Gijang Fire Station conducted a large-scale joint wildfire suppression drill with related organizations at Jangansa Temple area in Jang-an-eup, Gijang-gun to prepare for large-scale spring wildfires.

The drill was conducted under the scenario where a fire ignited in the restroom within the Jangansa parking lot spreads to Bulgwangsan Mountain and the Jangansa Temple premises.

The drill mobilized about 200 personnel from seven related organizations including Gijang-gun Office, Gijang Fire Station, Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, Korea Forest Service, Gijang Police Station, Gijang Volunteer Fire Brigade, and Jangansa Temple, along with 24 vehicles, 2 helicopters, 1 drone, and approximately 100 wildfire suppression equipment.

The drill focused on ▲fire suppression and wildfire spread prevention at important cultural properties adjacent to forests ▲evacuation drills ▲establishment of joint defense lines by related organizations according to wildfire progression routes ▲joint fire suppression by public and private sectors with mutual role sharing ▲real-time fire scale and location detection using drones ▲and initial response procedures for related personnel including first discoverers of wildfires.

Gijang County and Gijang Fire Station are conducting a joint fire drill with related organizations.

After the drill, a joint wildfire prevention promotion campaign was conducted by wildfire monitors and volunteer firefighters targeting hikers and nearby residents to foster national consensus on wildfire prevention.

Jung Jong-bok, Gijang-gun Governor, said, “As we enter the wildfire-prone season, we are mobilizing all administrative resources to fully focus on wildfire prevention, and we are strengthening an organic cooperation system with related organizations including the fire station to minimize forest damage.”

He added, “Since even a small spark can easily lead to a large wildfire, we strongly urge caution to refrain from burning activities such as burning rice paddies and field edges to prevent property and human damage caused by wildfires.”

Kim Jae-hyun, Chief of Gijang Fire Station, said, “Due to the characteristics of Gijang-gun’s jurisdiction with a wide forest area, especially Jangansa Temple being a precious nationally designated cultural property in our region, initial response to fire is of utmost importance, and it is necessary to establish a mutual cooperation system with related personnel and organizations. We will enhance public interest and vigilance through regular fire drills and strengthen response capabilities through cooperation with related organizations.”